Pavel Dorofeyev scored twice, including the decisive goal, as the Vegas Golden Knights overcame the Los Angeles Kings 6-4 on Wednesday night. The game-winning goals came during a strong third-period surge in Los Angeles, helping Vegas secure their third consecutive victory.
Key Contributions Fuel Vegas Offense
Alongside Dorofeyev’s performance, Colton Sissons and Reilly Smith both contributed a goal and an assist, while Tanner Laczynski provided three assists. Brandon Saad and Ivan Barbashev also found the back of the net for the Golden Knights. Goaltender Adin Hill made 15 saves and recorded an assist, supported by two assists each from Brayden McNabb and Braeden Bowman. Despite missing several key starters, Vegas showed resilience to maintain their winning streak.
Golden Knights Navigate Absences of Key Players
Vegas played without five notable starters: center Jack Eichel and defenseman Noah Hanifin from the U.S. Olympic gold medal team, alongside captain Mark Stone, forward Mitch Marner, and defenseman Shea Theodore from Team Canada. These players are expected to rejoin the roster for Friday’s upcoming road game against the Washington Capitals.
Los Angeles Kings Struggle to Keep Up
For the Kings, Quinton Byfield scored twice and Adrian Kempe added a goal and an assist. Artemi Panarin, in his first game with Los Angeles, recorded two assists, and Brandt Clarke also contributed a goal and an assist in the losing effort. Goalie Anton Forsberg made 19 saves while Andrei Kuzmenko assisted twice. The loss marked the Kings’ fourth straight defeat.
Game Momentum Shifts in Final Period
Vegas opened the scoring at 10:59 in the first period when Reilly Smith won a puck battle and passed to Tanner Laczynski, who initiated a 2-on-1 break with Dorofeyev. Laczynski’s shot deflected off the end boards, allowing Dorofeyev to score on an open net from the right post. Los Angeles responded before the period ended with a power-play goal credited to Quinton Byfield off a Panarin pass.
The Kings took a 2-1 lead near the second period’s close on a quick transition goal by Kempe, finished after a precise pass exchange with Panarin and Kopitar. However, Vegas fought back in the third period when Sissons converted a rebound, tying the game. Consecutive goals by Saad and Smith then put Vegas ahead 4-2 within just over a minute.
Byfield narrowed the gap to 4-3 with a rebound finish at 6:34 remaining, but Dorofeyev restored Vegas’s two-goal lead with his 15th power-play goal of the season. The Kings pulled Forsberg for an extra attacker and Clarke scored in the final minutes to cut the deficit to one. Barbashev secured the victory by scoring into an empty net with 28 seconds left on the clock.
Victory Boosts Golden Knights’ Momentum and Depth
This win highlights the Golden Knights’ depth and ability to perform without several key players, reflecting their readiness as they prepare to face the Capitals. With core stars returning for upcoming games, Vegas appears poised to maintain their strong form as the season progresses.
