LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Golden Knights couldn't celebrate Nevada Day with a win. Vegas found the loss column for the first time this season on Friday, falling to the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 in overtime to move to 7-0-1.
It took no time for the Vegas offense to find a groove in this afternoon tilt. Goals by Pavel Dorofoyev and William Karlsonn inside the first four minutes of game action made it seem like the Knights could coast to a win.
But the Blackhawks would put up a fight until the first intermission. A score from Ryan Donado and this year's 1st overall draft pick Connor Bedard let Chicago tie the game at 2 after one period.
After a scoreless second frame, the Golden Knights allowed a goal from Taylor Raddysh to begin trailing early in the third. A 3-2 Hawks lead stuck until Shea Theodore, who drilled the game-winning goal against the Flyers on Tuesday, found the net 11 minutes into the third to end the Knights' scoring drought.
Things remained knotted up at 3 through regulation, Vegas going into overtime with their perfect record in jeopardy. On a power kill nearly three minutes into the extra period, the Knights allowed a goal from Chicago's Phillip Kurashev to seal a loss.
Blackhawks win 4-3 to hand Vegas their first loss on the year.
After the game, head coach Bruce Cassidy pointed to sloppy puck management as the reason why his team lost their lead and couldn't come away with a win. However, he's confident that his Stanley Cup champion team can bounce back fast.
"We're a mature team," Cassidy said. "I'm sure our guys can look in the mirror and realize they weren't very good tonight, especially the guys we rely on a little more than others. They got to put it behind them. It's one of 82. That's what I'd hope they think. Let's not do it again. Let's not repeat it."
The Golden Knights never expected to go 82-0 on the regular season. It's hockey and anything can happen in a game, including giving up a 2-0 first period lead. Skaters like William Karlsson believe the loss can help the team work on their offensive flaws.
"We sometimes have to do some simple plays, especially through the neutral zone," the forward told media post-game. "Sometimes, the plays aren't there and we don't have to force it. .. If we can limit that and get the pucks deep, after awhile, maybe things will open up and we take it from there."
The Golden Knights have a short turnaround as they try to rebound in a road matchup Saturday night against the L.A. Kings. Puck drops at 7:30 p.m. The game airs live on Vegas 34 and KnightTime+
WATCH PARTY: Watch Golden Knights vs. Kings on Water Street Plaza's 42-foot jumbotron
"Division rival, that should get our attention right away," Cassidy said. "Most times when you don't have your best, most good teams want to remedy in a hurry. They have pride. That's what I assume will go through their heads tomorrow."