Golden Knights Triumph in Season Opener with Banner-Raising Victory
In Las Vegas, Jonathan Marchessault scored a goal, and Eden Hill made 23 saves as the Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Seattle Kraken 4-1 on Tuesday night following a banner-raising ceremony. Conn Smythe winner Marchessault netted in the opening game for the fourth consecutive year and the fifth time in seven seasons with Vegas.
Chandler Stephenson, Evgenii Dadonov, and Jake Leschyshyn also contributed goals for the Golden Knights. Vegas improved to 6-1-0 in home openers, with their only loss coming in 2018 against Philadelphia. The Golden Knights outshot their guests 26-14 in these games.
Seattle’s only goal came from Jared McCann, while Filip Grubauer made 24 saves. Vegas took an early lead when Mark Stone, Brett Howden, and Stephenson played tic-tac-toe in the offensive zone, culminating with a pass from Howden to where Stephenson was positioned to complete the goal.
Vegas led 2-0 when Seattle’s Brandon Tanev cleared the puck from the slot, but Marchessault swiped it away and outpaced the defense.
Hill and Golden Knights’ Penalty Kill Hold Firm Despite Late Challenge
The Kraken had a chance to narrow the deficit further in the third when Howden was called for a match penalty after striking Tanev on the head with a high stick. However, just as they’ve done throughout the Stanley Cup run, Hill and the Knights penalty kill stood tall.
In the first period, initially, the Golden Knights had a slow start after an emotionally charged pre-game ceremony. However, just as he did throughout the entire previous season, Eden Hill stood tall, stopping all 11 shots he faced in the opening frame.
In the first period, Vegas found the score when Mark Stone, Brett Howden, and Stephenson played a relentless offense. As they crossed the blue line, Stone passed to Howden, who sent the puck to the crease, where Stephenson was there to finish.
The Golden Knights secured a 2-0 lead when Seattle’s Brandon Tanev cleared the puck after moving ahead of the goal. However, Marchessault intercepted it and left Grobauer trailing behind.
Barbashev joined the scoring in the second period with a 3-0 lead, just 1:20 into the period. Seattle responded in the middle when McCann’s shot from the slot went past Hill.
Crucial Penalty Kill Preserves Golden Knights’ Lead in the Third
The Kraken had an opportunity to close the gap in the third when Howden was called for a match penalty, hitting Tanev on the head with a high stick. However, just as they have consistently done during the Stanley Cup run, Hill and the Golden Knights’ penalty kills were outstanding.
Eventually, the Golden Knights found their rhythm. Chandler Stephenson, for the first time in seven years, lit up the scoreboard playing alongside Brett Howden and Mark Stone, creating a brilliant moment in the game.
Leschyshyn scored into an empty net with just over a minute remaining. Seattle’s head coach, Dave Hakstol, said, “We had some real good opportunities to get on the board. Early in the hockey game, we were just a little bit off in terms of finishing, and we lost the game in the first five minutes, whether it was 5-on-5 or power play.”
Injury Update Golden Knights forward William Carrier left the game in the second period with an upper-body injury and did not return. Seattle forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare also left the game after blocking a shot with his left hand in the second period. He returned for the third period.
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