The Golden Knights and the Utah Hockey Club met for the first time in the 2024-2025 NHL season. Although the Golden Knights outplayed the Utah Hockey Club, the score was neck and neck throughout the game. Flaunting their progressed synergy as a club, the Golden Knights discarded the Utah Hockey Club and remained undefeated at home.
Period One
The Golden Knights set up against the ambiguous Utah Hockey Club last night in the fortress. Nicolas Hague and Tomas Hertl returned to the ice, each appearing healthy and ready. There were impressive skates out on the ice. Each club fought hard to get on the board, but the Golden Knights controlled the ice. The VGK had five shots on goal before the Utah Hockey Club had an opportunity. On Utah’s first shot on goal, they scored. Throughout the domination of the VGK offense in the first period, the Vegas blue line allowed Utah to set up offensive plays, permitting a breakaway and a one-on-one for Logan Cooley and Adin Hill.
Utah drew a penalty midway into the first period, sending the Golden Knights to an early power play. Although they ultimately did not cash in on the man advantage, the fourth line continued to create scoring opportunities for Vegas. Nicolas Roy and his formidable linemates have shown impressive offensive capabilities throughout the young new season. Roy is off to a promising start to the season, with seven points already. Keegan Kolesar (fourth liner) came to Roy’s defense as Jack McBain executed a monstrous hit on Roy. Enforcing hockey law, Keegan Kolesar has come to the defense of his teammates twice in the last two games.
Period Two
The Golden Knights tightened their constriction on the Utah Hockey Club in period two. The first period’s pace was rapid, but period two showcased an entirely new level of speed. There were over seven minutes of play where there was no pause and no whistle. Each club was quick on the puck and approached each blue line constantly. Utah had a chance opportunity in the crease after a possible deflection from Nicolas Hague sent the puck into the net, the new score 2-0 Utah. Although the Golden Knights were outplaying the Utah club, they were able to sneak pucks past Adin Hill.
The Golden Knights stuck to their strategy and continued to lay the pressure on as the clock ticked down in period two. Ivan Barbashev has seven goals and leads the VGK in goals scored, but Pavel Dorofeyev exploited a mistake by Utah’s defense, Dorofeyev tied with Barbashev in goals. Approaching a minute left in the second period, the Golden Knights disregarded the time and continued to hound Utah. Just beating the clock, Noah Hanifin sent the puck to the back pipe with less than a second left in the period. The board was neutral at a 2-2 score.
Final Period and Overtime
The Golden Knights battled to keep their 7-0 home streak alive as the Utah Hockey Club pressed to take the lead. With a twist, William Karlsson scored on lonely on a five-hole shot early in the final period to make it 3-2. The Golden Knights continued to fend off the Utah Hockey Club as they pushed to tie the game. The VGK’s efforts were in vain, as Utah scored, tying the game to 3-3. The remainder of the final period was a constant battle across the blue lines. Neither club could take the lead before the buzzer sounded, sending the Golden Knights into their second overtime of the season.
Goaltender Adin Hill had a quick save early into OT. Utah had the upper hand but was quickly stripped of the puck, allowing the Golden Knights to maneuver on the attack. The Golden Knights’ lines were patient and concise on their passes. Brett Howden had multiple good looks in the game but felt a powerful check from a Utah player in the second period. Despite the pain, Brett Howden got off the bench and skated straight to the net after a perfect pass from Noah Hanifin. Howden sent a backhander into the net, winning the game and protecting the Golden Knights’ 8-0 home-ice streak for the 2024-2025 NHL season.
Final Thoughts
Vegas has a few days off before they head on the road to face the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday evening. It will be the team’s first meeting of the season. Edmonton won the season series 2-1 last year. Utah hits the ice again on Tuesday when they visit the Winnipeg Jets.
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