The Golden Knights continued their offensive prowess for a second straight game, as Pavel Dorofeyev scored two goals and had one assist in a 4-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night.
Just as important, at the other end of the ice, goaltender Adin Hill registered his first shutout of the season after stopping all 21 shots he faced.
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Rasmus Andersson and Keegan Kolesar also scored for the Knights, who were fresh off Thursday’s 6-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The win moved Vegas, which had slipped to third place last week, back into first place with 76 points, one point in front of the Anaheim Ducks. The Edmonton Oilers are one back of the Ducks, who have a game in hand on both teams.
The Ducks lost 2-0 at Ottawa earlier in the night, while Edmonton was idle.
The staredown! Andersson’s 12th goal of the season – and second with the Knights – resulted in the Rasmus staredown. The goal, which came 11:35 into the first period, gave the Golden Knights a 2-0 lead. The staredown, though, sent a message.
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5 … After struggling to take early leads and lose the first period, it marked the fifth consecutive game the Knights didn’t allow a goal in the first period.
“We’ve changed our pregame routine a little bit, our morning skate we’ve done a little bit differently,” coach Bruce Cassidy said. “I don’t know if that has any effect … to be honest, it’s just something to get their attention. Obviously, we are doing something better. I think the players have better focus; maybe those tweaks have helped them focus.
“We’re not chasing the game as much, and it’s a lot easier to play that way.”
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Dorofeyev is an easy candidate after his second consecutive three-point night, but the nod goes to Hill, after turning in his first shutout of the season.
In starting for the fourth consecutive game, Hill turned in his best performance of the season.
It was Hill’s first shutout in more than a year, his last coming on March 13, 2025, when he blanked Columbus in, ironically, a 4-0 win.
The Golden Knights continue their four-game homestand against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday.
PHOTO CAPTION: Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill (33) makes a save against the Chicago Blackhawks during the third period at T-Mobile Arena.
