Knights dump Canucks, hold onto first place in Pacific

Field Level Media|published: Fri 1st December, 24:49 2023

Nov 30, 2023; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vegas Golden Knights forward Ivan Barbashev (49) celebrates his goal against the Vancouver Canucks in the first period at Rogers Arena. credits: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports

Jack Eichel finished with a goal and two assists and Ivan Barbashev had a goal and an assist as the Vegas Golden Knights won the battle for first place in the Pacific Division, routing the host Vancouver Canucks 4-1 on Thursday.

William Karlsson and Brett Howden also scored for the defending Stanley Cup champion Golden Knights, who snapped a three-game losing streak (0-1-2).

Adin Hill he was superb in goal for Vegas in the first two periods, stopping all 16 shots he faced. He was replaced at the start of the third by Logan Thompson, who finished with five saves.

The Golden Knights announced that Hill exited "for precautionary measures" without elaborating.

Andrei Kuzmenko scored and goalie Thatcher Demko stopped 40 of 44 shots for the Canucks, who lost for just the second time in regulation at home this season, where they are 8-2-1.

Vancouver needed a victory to take over first place in the Pacific, which is starting to get crowded at the top. The Los Angeles Kings have reeled off a 7-2-1 record over the past 10 games, and they are now two points back of the Canucks for second in the division with 29 points. The Golden Knights sit atop the division with 34 points.

Barbashev opened the scoring off a wild scramble in front of the Canucks' goal with a backhand between Demko's legs at 4:46 of the first period.

Eichel, who assisted on Barbashev's goal, hooked up with his teammate again at 16:18 of the first to score on a snap shot from the side of the net to make it 2-0.

Karlsson scored his team-leading 11th goal from the right faceoff circle on a power play to make it 3-0 Vegas at 11:27 of the second.

The Golden Knights went up 4-0 just 16 seconds into the third period when a shot from the point hit Demko's blocker and bounced in off the left arm of Howden.

Kuzmenko finished off a two-on-one break with J.T. Miller 4:01 into the third to make it 4-1.

Vancouver made a trade before the game, acquiring defenseman Nikita Zadorov from the Calgary Flames for two draft picks.

—Field Level Media

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