Golden Knights Overcome Donato’s Hat Trick to Beat Blackhawks 5-3 for 5th Straight Win
CHICAGO (AP) — Pavel Dorofeyev scored a power-play goal with 3:10 left to snap a tie, and the Vegas Golden Knights rallied for their fifth straight win, 5-3 over the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night.
Game Summary
Victor Olofsson scored twice for the Golden Knights, who overcame the first career hat trick by Chicago’s Ryan Donato. Mark Stone had a goal and an assist, Brett Howden scored an empty-netter and William Karlsson added three assists for Vegas. Adin Hill made 18 saves.
Performance of Teams
Ilya Mikheyev had two assists and Spencer Knight stopped 17 shots for Chicago, which has lost nine of 10 (1-8-1) and is in last place in the Central Division. Dorofeyev ripped in his 31st goal on a one-timer from the right circle. The Golden Knights’ league-leading power play cashed in on its second chance of the night after Teuvo Teravainen was sent off for hooking.
Key Players’ Performance
Donato now has 28 goals to lead Chicago. He has never had more than 16 goals in seven previous NHL seasons. Donato popped in a rebound to cap a breakaway with 3:45 left in the first period. Stone and Olofsson scored 53 seconds apart in the second to put Vegas ahead 2-1. Donato tied 2-all with 3:46 left in the second period and completed his hat trick 15 seconds later.
Turning Point of the Game
Olofsson clanked in a rising shot off the crossbar 2:06 into the third to tie it at 3. The game was intense, with both teams creating scoring opportunities, but the Golden Knights’ power play proved to be the difference.
Takeaways
Golden Knights: Skated without team-leading goal scorer Tomas Hertl (upper body) and defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (lower body). Blackhawks: Came out with energy, but missed on several prime chances.
Key Moment
Hill made a point-blank save on Frank Nazar, who skated in alone with 7:07 left in the third, to keep the game tied. This save was crucial in the outcome of the game, as it denied the Blackhawks a potential go-ahead goal.
Key Stat
The Golden Knights, at 44-20-8 and 96 points, moved closer to their fifth division title in eight years. This achievement is a testament to the team’s hard work and dedication throughout the season.
Up Next
The Golden Knights skate at Nashville on Saturday. The Blackhawks host Utah on Sunday. Both teams will look to build on their current form and secure important wins in their upcoming games.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Vegas Golden Knights’ 5-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks was a thrilling matchup that saw both teams create numerous scoring opportunities. The Golden Knights’ league-leading power play and key saves from Adin Hill proved to be the difference in the game. As the season progresses, both teams will look to build on their current form and secure important wins.
FAQs
Q: Who scored the winning goal for the Golden Knights?
A: Pavel Dorofeyev scored the winning goal with 3:10 left to snap a tie.
Q: How many goals did Ryan Donato score in the game?
A: Ryan Donato scored a hat trick, with three goals in the game.
Q: What is the current record of the Golden Knights?
A: The Golden Knights are 44-20-8 with 96 points.
Q: Who made the crucial save to keep the game tied?
A: Adin Hill made a point-blank save on Frank Nazar to keep the game tied.
