The Vegas Golden Knights didn’t exactly announce themselves early Tuesday night. They spent much of the opening stretch chasing the game, survived a sluggish start that left them with only six shots halfway through, and still found a way to leave The Fortress with a 4-1 win over the Ottawa Senators.
It took until the third period for Vegas to finally crack open a tight, low-event game between two top teams from their respective conferences. Raphael Lavoie supplied the turning point with his first NHL goal, a marker that stood as the winner. After that, William Karlsson and Jack Eichel added empty-net goals to close it out, while Adin Hill handled the rest with 25 saves and just one goal allowed in a spot start.
The result was built on depth, not just the usual headliners. Mitch Marner, back after missing the two-game road trip, picked up an assist on Karlsson’s empty-netter with two minutes left.
In all, 11 different Golden Knights landed on the scoresheet, and that spread-out production helped Vegas turn what looked like a frustrating night into a much-needed victory. Braeden Bowman opened the scoring, and contributions like Lavoie’s gave the Knights the kind of balance that makes them dangerous when players other than Eichel or Mark Stone are finishing chances.
Still, the first period was rough. Ottawa, despite being without Tomas Chabot and goalie Linus Ullmark, nearly smothered Vegas out of the gate.
The Golden Knights managed just four shots in the opening frame, then didn’t get their first shot of the second period until 13:54 remained. Their next came at 12:29, and the drought stretched again until Trevor Connelly finally added another at 6:13.
Vegas did crank out 11 shots over the final six minutes of the period to carry a 19-18 lead into the second intermission, but the slow start was only the latest example of a season-long issue that’s made life harder than it should be.
Hill’s night was a welcome change from the concerns that have followed him. Carter Hart was hurt at the morning skate, which forced Hill into an unexpected start.
He responded with a season-best .962 save percentage, his sharpest outing since a shutout against the Chicago Blackhawks on March 14, 2026. Before that, he had posted a .970 save percentage in a 4-1 win over Los Angeles on February 5.
Vegas has still been winning with him in net, but Tuesday was a cleaner version of his game, the kind that doesn’t require the team to claw back from trouble after allowing multiple goals.
The power play also chipped in at the right time. Bowman scored the team’s 11th power play goal of the season, a useful bounce for a unit that had gone quiet along with its chances.
Vegas had scored on the man advantage early in the year, then saw both production and opportunity dry up. Over the previous 12 periods, the Golden Knights had only five power-play chances, a steep drop for a team used to drawing three to five per game.
After coming up empty in losses to Tampa Bay and St. Louis, and getting just one chance in a loss to Columbus, Tuesday finally brought a conversion.
The Golden Knights now turn around to face New Jersey on Friday night at The Fortress. Connor Hellebuyck, who has long been part of Vegas’ battles with Winnipeg, is now with the Devils after a blockbuster trade last Friday, setting up his annual appearance in Vegas in a different sweater.
In Other News...
Golden Knights Suddenly Have A Goalie Question They Didn't Expect
A routine morning skate turned into an unexpected moment of concern when Carter Hart left the ice after appearing to tweak something while making a butterfly save during a drill. The Golden Knights did not offer any immediate specifics beyond saying he is being evaluated, but it was enough to create a sudden wrinkle at a position Vegas had not been expecting to revisit this quickly.
Bruce Cassidy has already shifted to Adin Hill for the upcoming game against the Ottawa Senators, giving the Golden Knights at least one clear answer for the moment. What comes next with Hart is still unclear, and for a team that leans heavily on stability in goal, any uncertainty there is worth watching closely. [Read more 🡒]
Golden Knights Suddenly Have A Goalie Problem They Didn't Expect
The morning skate on Tuesday brought an unexpected turn for the Golden Knights, who suddenly have to sort out their crease with Carter Hart leaving early because of an apparent injury. Hart had been penciled in as the starter, but his day-to-day status forced Vegas to pivot quickly as it prepared for its next game, a reminder of how fast the most stable part of a roster can become unsettled.
Adin Hill is now expected to get the start against the Ottawa Senators, giving Vegas a familiar answer for at least one night while the staff evaluates Harts status. If the situation worsens, Carl Lindbom could be in line for NHL playing time, adding another layer to a situation the Golden Knights did not anticipate this close to game time. [Read more 🡒]
Golden Knights Already Face A Familiar Question After Hot Start
The Golden Knights have put together an 8-4-1 start that has them sitting among the NHLs top five teams, a position that usually comes with a little less anxiety than excitement this early in the season. Even with a recent three-game skid, capped by an overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, there is no real panic around the room, only a reminder that strong starts still have to be protected through the grind of the schedule.
Brayden McNabb said the focus has to stay on the group playing as one unit, which is the same message teams lean on when the wins come early and the questions start to follow. Vegas knows the bigger picture is still in front of it, but after a hot opening, the next stretch will be about proving the pace was a sign of something sustainable rather than just a fast first chapter. [Read more 🡒]