Golden Knights Rally Past Maple Leafs in OT Thriller, Extend Overtime Win Streak to Three
The Golden Knights didn’t exactly come out of the gate firing Thursday night, but when the dust settled in Vegas, they’d pulled off one of their gutsiest wins of the season. Down by two goals not once, but twice, the Knights clawed their way back to stun the Maple Leafs 6-5 in overtime - their third straight win in extra time.
This one had it all: a comeback fueled by special teams, a wild finish in regulation, and a vintage Jack Eichel dagger to cap it off. And in the background? Plenty of storylines - from Adin Hill’s long-awaited return to Mitch Marner facing his former team for the first time.
Let’s break down how Vegas turned a shaky start into a statement win.
Dorofeyev Delivers on the Power Play
They don’t call him “Power Play Pavel” for nothing. Pavel Dorofeyev came through with two big goals on the man advantage, both of which proved critical in Vegas’s comeback effort.
His first came midway through the opening frame, cutting into Toronto’s early lead. Then, early in the third, he struck again - this time cleaning up a rebound in tight to bring the Knights within one.
Those two tallies pushed Dorofeyev past Leon Draisaitl and Jake DeBrusk for second in the NHL in power play goals, now trailing only Wyatt Johnston. It’s been an up-and-down season for the 23-year-old winger, but with three goals and five points over his last three games, he’s heating up at just the right time.
He even appeared to have notched a hat trick in the third, but the goal was called back for offside. Still, his impact on the game was undeniable.
Eichel Steals the Show in OT
While Dorofeyev did the heavy lifting early, it was Jack Eichel who sealed the deal in style. On a beautiful feed from Mark Stone, Eichel buried the overtime winner - his 17th of the season - to complete the comeback and send the home crowd into a frenzy.
Eichel was everywhere on the ice Thursday night. He finished with four points, assisting on three of Vegas’s goals before scoring the game-winner himself. It was a reminder of just how dynamic he can be when he’s in rhythm - and how dangerous this Golden Knights offense becomes when he’s leading the charge.
Marner’s Return, Hertl’s Heroics
All eyes were on Mitch Marner in his first game against the Maple Leafs since the high-profile move. While he didn’t dominate the scoresheet, he quietly played a key role in the win, picking up assists on both of Dorofeyev’s power play goals.
But it was Tomas Hertl who delivered the moment of the night in regulation. With just seven seconds left and Vegas trailing by one, Hertl found the back of the net to tie the game at five. It was the second-latest game-tying goal in franchise history, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
Hertl is on an absolute tear right now, with 11 points in his last six games. After a tough December for Vegas, he’s been one of the driving forces behind their recent resurgence.
Adin Hill Returns to the Crease
After missing nearly three months, Adin Hill finally made his return to the net - and while it wasn’t the cleanest performance, it was enough to get the win.
Hill gave up three goals on the first 10 shots he faced, showing some expected rust in his first start since October. But he settled in as the game went on, highlighted by a jaw-dropping reverse scorpion save that kept Vegas within striking distance in the second period.
The numbers might not tell the full story, but Hill’s presence alone is a big boost for a team that’s battled inconsistency in net for much of the season. Getting their No. 1 goalie back in action is a major step forward.
Back-to-Back OT Wins Keep Vegas on Top
Coming off an overtime win the night before, the Golden Knights showed serious resilience by pulling off another one less than 24 hours later. And with Edmonton falling on Thursday, Vegas held onto its lead atop the Pacific Division.
The atmosphere at T-Mobile Arena was electric - even with a noticeable contingent of Leafs fans in the building. Marner was booed early and often, but the home crowd had the last laugh as the Knights completed the comeback in dramatic fashion.
Next up: a Saturday night showdown with the Predators. Vegas will be looking for a bit of payback after a tough loss to Nashville back in December. If this week is any indication, they’ll be ready for the challenge.