The Golden Knights snapped their season-high tying four-game losing streak with their dominant defense to defeat the New Jersey Devils 3-1 on Thursday.
Jack Eichel, Shea Theodore and Nicolas Roy scored, and Adin Hill made 16 saves.
After being limited to two or fewer goals in three straight losses, Vegas scored three goals for the first time since a 4-3 home loss to Dallas on Jan. 28.
The Knights stymied New Jersey to a mere nine shots through two periods, while they had 17 in the second period alone while getting goals from Theodore and Roy.
It was a much-needed win for a group that had lost 11 of its last 14 games (3-8-3). The win kept Vegas within striking distance of Pacific Division leader Edmonton, as the Knights are two points back of the Oilers.
Here are three takeaways from the game:
SMOTHERING D: After allowing the Islanders to register 14 shots on goal on Tuesday, the Knights followed up by allowing New Jersey to finish with 15 goals. The combined 29 shots on goal are the lowest amount in consecutive games in franchise history. After allowing 27.9 shots through Dec. 31, the Knights are allowing just 24.8 shots since the calendar turn, spanning their last 17 games.
“They have some really good offensive players there, and they generate a lot, and I thought we did a good job of maintaining good position inside and containing some of their high-end offensive players,” Eichel said. “In turn, I think it led to some good offense for us.”
4 NATIONS PREVIEW: The Knights took a 3-0 lead in the third period when defenseman Noah Hanifin’s shot from the top of the left circle caromed off Jake Allen’s pad and right in front of Eichel, who was there to tuck home the shot-pass through the five-hole. Eichel and Hanifin will represent Team USA at the 4 Nations Faceoff, and with their chemistry from playing with one another all season, could see ice time together during the tournament. Eichel now has eight goals in his last 11 games.
“I changed my stick a few weeks ago,” Eichel said jokingly. “No, honestly, just trying to get to the net and obviously trying to make shooting more a priority. I think over the course of the season, you’re bound to get a couple of bounces and things go your way. And maybe I wasn’t seeing those pucks go in earlier in the year and they’re going in now.”
CAREER NIGHT: In just his second career start against the Devils, Hill registered his career-high 20th win of the season. His previous high of 19 wins came last year, when he made a career-high 35 starts. The 28-year-old netminder, who is also headed to 4 Nations to represent Team Canada, has made 33 starts this season.
“I thought we just looked fresh,” Hill said. “We got a lot of pucks to the net. I thought Allen actually had a great game. I thought we could have had five or six goals out there. So, no, I thought we did a good job getting pucks to the net, crashing the net, trying to bang away at some rebounds like Jack’s goal there at the end. So kudos to our guys, I thought they had a great performance tonight.
“I didn’t really know (about the milestone), but that’s exciting. So I guess go for 30, right?”
