In a fierce opening-night contest between Pacific Division foes, the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Los Angeles Kings in a thriller, 4-3. Despite what the scoreboard might indicate, the Golden Knights made an impressive 2022-23 debut by outplaying the Kings for much of the game.
Los Angeles jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first period, but it was all Vegas for much of the game after that. With the game tied 1-1 at the start of the third period, the Golden Knights' best players delivered on that reputation. Jack Eichel netted a goal to give the team a 2-1 lead, and Mark Stone played hero by scoring the game-winning goal with 24 seconds remaining.
The Kings couldn't stay out of the penalty box, and that contributed to their inability to sustain any kind of momentum in the final two periods. There were some encouraging signs for Los Angeles, like Gabe Vilardi and Quinton Byfield teaming up on the first goal, but it was a frustrating night for the home team.
Considering the aspirations both teams have this season, this probably won't be the last time the Kings and Golden Knights create some fireworks.
What a wild debut that was for both teams. Vegas' big guns came to play and delivered in the third period. The Kings didn't have their best game, but they were able to hang around until Mark Stone delivered a dagger with under a minute left in regulation.
4-3 Golden Knights. What a wild finish this has been. Chandler Stephenson finds Mark Stone on a drop pass off the rush, and he buries a shot with 24 seconds left.
3-3. Los Angeles strikes on the power play. Trevor Moore finds the puck in traffic in front of Thompson, and he is able to slide it to Arthur Kaliyev, who fires it into the cage to tie the game.
It is a shooting gallery in the Los Angeles zone right now, but Phil Kessel bails out the Kings by taking a careless slashing penalty in the neutral zone. The Kings have been on their heels for most of this period — and the game — but they will have the chance to level the score on the man advantage.
3-2 Golden Knights. The Kings continue to get themselves into penalty trouble. Phillip Danault goes to the box for slashing, and the Golden Knights cash in almost immediately on a perfect slap pass goal from Alex Pietrangelo to William Karlsson.
2-2. The line of Adrian Kempe, Anze Kopitar, and Kevin Fiala goes to work in the offensive zone, with a big assist from Sean Durzi. Kopitar got Thompson out of position on a wraparound, and he slid the puck to Kempe for an easy finish.
2-1 Golden Knights. On an extremely abbreviated Vegas power play, Eichel kicks a rebound from his skate to his stick and roofs a shot over Quick. Eichel has played well tonight, and he was able to bury a chance and give his team a third-period lead.
The third period begins with the teams at four-on-four. It should be a fun final 20 minutes with both teams trying to start the season 1-0.
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