Connelly’s late goal lifts Knights to a win on the road
The Vegas Golden Knights received a late comeback 2-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings. Despite an impressive performance from goaltender Daniil Tarasov, the Red Wings couldn’t hold onto its third-period lead or convert on multiple power-play chances, and the Knights scored twice to complete the comeback.
The Knights carried play early in the first period during a power play, but Tarasov kept the game scoreless until the Red Wings responded. The game was back and forth for the first two periods, with both goaltenders playing well.
The Red Wings finally got the breakthrough they were looking for at 2:02 of the third period. Anton Johansson opened the scoring, giving Detroit a 1-0 advantage.
Carter Mazur helped create the opportunity with a turnaround shot from the left point that caromed off the end boards. Johansson collected the puck in the right circle and put it just over Vegas goaltender Carter Hart’s glove.
The Red Wings took the lead, but the Golden Knights responded quickly.
Just over two minutes after Johansson’s goal, Braeden Bowman tied the game at 1-1. At 4:20, Bowman received a pass from Tomas Hertl, who gained the zone easily and fired a shot from the right faceoff circle past Tarasov on the short side.
The Red Wings had another opportunity to regain the lead on the power play, but Vegas defender Jeremy Lauzon came up with a crucial defensive play, clearing the puck away from the crease before Viktor Arvidsson could finish.
The Red Wings had two power play opportunities in the third period and couldn’t convert.
Another clean entry into the offensive zone for the Knights led to the game-winning goal.
With just 1:42 remaining in regulation, rookie Trevor Connelly delivered the decisive goal for the Knights.
After receiving a pass from Jack Eichel, Connelly created space in the offensive zone, maneuvered around Michael Rasmussen, and beat Tarasov with a wrist shot that was hard to read, deflecting off of Rasmussen’s stick to give the Golden Knights a late 2-1 lead.
The Red Wings pulled Tarasov to get the extra attacker but couldn’t score the game-tying goal.
Both goalies, Hart and Tarasov, stood tall in net. Hart made 25 saves for the Knights, and Tarasov made 32 saves for the Red Wings.
A tough loss for a young Red Wing team that played well against one of the best teams in the NHL.