LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A key member of the Golden Knights' roster returned to the lineup tonight.
After missing 35 games due to an upper body injury, defenseman Shea Theodore officially hit the ice against the Nashville Predators at T-Mobile Arena.
The Knights entered the matchup fresh off a 4-0 win over San Jose on Monday. A win tonight over the Predators would have given Vegas 300 franchise wins.
The Knights would end up falling to the Predators in a 5-3 game, detailed below in a play-by-play by Channel 13 sports reporter Nick Walters.
3rd Period
19:13 left: VGK goal - William Karlsson scores his second goal in two days while Shea Theodore earns a point on the assist in his first game back from a 35-game absence. Nashville's lead is cut to 4-2.
10:00: VGK successful PK - With Jonathan Marchessault in the box, the Knights hold off the Predators to improve to 4-0 on penalty kills on the night. 4-2 Nashville advantage going into final 10 minutes.
2:59: VGK goal - Michael Amadio scores to make it a 1-goal game. Vegas will attempt to complete a game-tying rally in the final minutes.
1:49: Predators goal - Nashville's Gustav Nyquist scores an even-strength goal to ice the game.
00:00: FINAL - Golden Knights fall to Predators 5-3 to drop their third of the last games, moving to 32-18-6 on the season. Vegas hosts the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night before going on a 5-game road trip.
2nd Period
18:05 left: VGK unsuccessful PP - Knights can't find the net with a Predator in the box for 2 minutes. Vegas moves to 0-2 on power plays as Nashville keeps a 2-1 lead.
12:54: Predators goal - Tommy Novak sneaks the puck past Adin Hill as time expires on a Vegas penalty kill. Nashville extends their lead to 3-1.
6:26: VGK unsuccessful PP - Knights fail to score with a Predator in the sin bin, moving to 0-3 on power plays. Chandler Stephenson called for cross-checking during the penalty to let Vegas lose a numbers advantage.
5:07: VGK successful PK - Knights outlast Stephenson's 2 minutes in the penalty box to stay in striking distance, trailing by two goals late in the 2nd.
4:02: Predators goal - Cole Smith shoots the puck past a crowd around the crease for an even-strength goal. Nashville takes a commanding 4-1 lead while Vegas enters catch-up mode.
1st Period
14:25 left: Predators goal - Luke Evangelista scores an even-strength goal. Nashville takes a 1-0 early lead.
12:00: VGK successful PK - Knights don't allow a goal through a minor penalty after Keegan Kolesar was called for holding.
9:40: VGK unsuccessful PP - Knights unable to net a goal with a 5-on-4 advantage. Nashville leads 1-0 midway through the 1st.
5:52: VGK goal - Alex Pietrangelo's wrist shot finds the net as the defenseman scores his first goal as a member of the 1000-game club. Alec Martinez was on the assist as Vegas ties the game at 1.
0:54: Predators goal - Cody Glass scores on Adin Hill to allow Nashville to retake the lead, up 2-1 at the break.
