LAS VEGAS (AP) — Adin Hill made 22 stops and the Vegas Golden Knights opened the John Tortorella era with a 4-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Monday night.
One day after the Golden Knights fired coach Bruce Cassidy, who led the team to a Stanley Cup title in 2023, they treated Tortorella to a comeback victory.
Rasmus Andersson, Shea Theodore, Reilly Smith and Cole Smith scored for Vegas.
Evander Kane and Brock Boeser scored for the Canucks, while Kevin Lankinen made 29 saves.
Tortorella, who coached Tampa Bay to the 2004 Stanley Cup title, met with the players earlier in the day, as general manager Kelly McCrimmon is hoping the 67-year-old veteran coach can reignite a locker room just three years removed from a championship season.
The team found its spark in the second period, when Andersson tied the game midway through to overcome its first one-goal deficit, and then again when Theodore made it 2-all five minutes after Boeser’s goal.
Reilly Smith scored the game-winner near the end of the second, and Cole Smith’s empty-netter provided the final margin.
The Golden Knights brought a three-game skid into Monday and opened their final eight-game stretch with a much-needed win. Vegas, which had lost six of its past seven games, is in third place in the Pacific Division just one point behind the Edmonton Oilers.
The Golden Knights remain in playoff position despite the recent play that saw them enter having lost 12 of their past 17 since the Olympic break.
Tortorella has been signed for the remainder of this season and the playoffs.
Up next
Canucks: Visit the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday.
Golden Knights: Host the Calgary Flames on Thursday.
-
Vegas Golden Knights general manager discusses trade with Calgary Flames
Before the game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday, Vegas Golden Knights General Manager Kelly McCrimmon will discuss the recent acquisition of defenseman Rasmus Andersson from the Flames.
Knights get Andersson from Flames, send Whitecloud with 2 picks to Flames
The Pacific Division-leading Vegas Golden Knights added an offensive element to their blue line by acquiring defenseman Rasmus Andersson in a trade with the Calgary Flames.
Golden Knights rout Predators 7-2 for their 7th straight victory
Alexander Holtz and Shea Theodore scored in a 1:05 span late in the second period and the Vegas Golden Knights had two more two-goal sprees to rout the Nashville Predators 7-1.
Eichel scores in OT as Golden Knights rally to beat Maple Leafs 6-5
Jack Eichel scored at 2:44 of overtime, Mitch Marner had two assists against his former team and Adin Hill made 23 saves in his return as Vegas rallied to defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs.
