Jack Eichel Lifts Golden Knights Over Leafs in OT Thriller, Extends Vegas Win Streak to Six
In a game that had just about everything-comebacks, power-play fireworks, and a dramatic finish-Jack Eichel delivered the final blow, scoring 2:44 into overtime to give the Vegas Golden Knights a wild 6-5 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night. That goal capped a four-point night for Eichel, who was instrumental in orchestrating Vegas’ rally from multiple deficits.
Let’s just say, if you tuned in late, you missed a rollercoaster.
Eichel Takes Over, Hertl Forces OT
With the Golden Knights trailing late, it was Eichel again who set the stage. He found Tomas Hertl with a slick feed on a 6-on-5 with just seven seconds left in regulation to tie the game and send it to overtime. Hertl, who finished with a goal and an assist, buried it, and the crowd at T-Mobile Arena erupted.
That late-game heroics wouldn’t have been possible without Eichel’s vision and poise under pressure. And in overtime, he wasn’t done. Eichel took matters into his own hands, sealing the comeback and giving Vegas its sixth straight win.
Dorofeyev Flashes on the Power Play
Pavel Dorofeyev was another major storyline. He netted two power-play goals and looked like he had a hat trick with just over four minutes left in regulation-until Toronto challenged the play and the goal was overturned for offside.
The hats had already flown onto the ice, but the scoreboard didn’t budge. Still, Dorofeyev’s impact was felt all night as he gave Vegas a much-needed boost on special teams.
Mark Stone Keeps Rolling
Mark Stone stayed red-hot, extending his point streak to 10 games. With a goal and two assists, Stone continues to drive the Golden Knights’ offense with a mix of grit and finesse that’s become his trademark. That’s now nine goals and eight assists over that stretch, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
Keegan Kolesar also chipped in with a goal, adding to a balanced Vegas attack that found ways to answer every Toronto punch.
Marner Returns to Face the Boo Birds
Mitch Marner, now in Golden Knights gold after a high-profile sign-and-trade last summer, faced his former team for the first time-and the reception was icy. A sizable contingent of Leafs fans made their voices heard from the pregame intros on, booing Marner every time he touched the puck.
He responded with two assists, letting his play do the talking. The rematch in Toronto on Jan. 23 is already circled on the calendar.
Hill Returns, Leafs Start Fast
Adin Hill made his return to the crease for Vegas after being sidelined since Oct. 20 with a lower-body injury. The rust showed early, as Toronto pounced for three goals in the first 9:57. But Hill settled in, making 23 saves and coming up with key stops to keep the Golden Knights within striking distance.
For Toronto, William Nylander and John Tavares each had a goal and an assist. Nylander, who leads the Leafs with 48 points, left in the first period due to a lower-body injury-a potentially significant loss for a team already dealing with depth concerns.
Auston Matthews, Morgan Rielly, and Scott Laughton also found the back of the net for the Maple Leafs. Matias Maccelli and Matthew Knies each added two assists, while Joseph Woll stopped 28 shots in a game that saw momentum swing wildly from start to finish.
Thursday also marked a milestone for Leafs forward Nicholas Robertson, who played in his 200th career game.
What’s Next
The Maple Leafs head to Winnipeg on Saturday in what should be a tough test against a surging Jets squad. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights stay home to host the Nashville Predators, looking to extend their win streak to seven and continue their climb up the Western Conference standings.
One thing’s for sure-if Vegas keeps playing with this kind of resilience and firepower, they’re going to be a tough out for anyone.