Vegas Golden Knights center Ivan Barbashev, right, passes the puck away from Detroit Red Wings right wing Patrick Kane during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Detroit. Photo by Jose Juarez / AP
End of the first period: Hertl’s two goals give Golden Knights early lead over Red Wings
Tomas Hertl scores twice, and Nicolas Roy adds a goal with two seconds left to give the Vegas Golden Knights a 3-1 lead over the Detroit Red Wings at the end of the first period.
Detroit got on the board first off a power-play goal that was credited to Lucas Raymond, but the puck had deflected off of Alex Pietrangelo’s stick and into the net. The Golden Knights penalty was on Mark Stone for tripping.
The Golden Knights also converted on the power play. Hertl put away a centering pass from Stone for his 13th power-play goal of the season. Jack Eichel recorded the secondary assist on the goal, giving him a career-high 83 points this season.
Hertl struck again, tipping in a Brayden McNabb shot to give Vegas a 2-1 lead. In the final two minutes of the game, Nicolas Hauge scored off a long shot from the point, but Detroit challenged the goal. Upon video review, the play was ruled offsides, and the goal was taken off the board.
Vegas would get the goal back as Nicolas Roy scored with two seconds left to restore the 3-1 lead. The Golden Knights had a 16-13 shot advantage in the period.
Pregame: Golden Knights host Red Wings looking to avenge loss
The Vegas Golden Knights are looking to avenge the loss that started the week. They will host the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday at 5 p.m.
Six days ago, the Golden Knights suffered a 3-0 loss to the Red Wings in Detroit in a game where coach Bruce Cassidy said the team was “tired.” At the time, Vegas was playing its second game in 24 hours, with the prior matchup going to a shootout.
The Knights got just 18 shots on goal and took three penalties to the Red Wings one. It was also the fourth time they had been shut out this season.
Vegas has since responded soundly, with a 5-1 win over the Boston Bruins on Thursday highlighted by Pavel Dorofeyev’s second career hat trick. William Karlsson also returned for the first time in two months, recording an assist.
The Golden Knights put 32 shots on net and took just one penalty, which was a “phantom” call on Mark Stone for tripping. Upon review, it was determined Stone had not made contact with Johnny Beecher, who drew the call.
The Red Wings haven’t had the same response following their Sunday win. Tuesday, they fell to the Washington Capitals, 4-1, allowing three goals in the third period.
The loss was a brutal blow to the Red Wings’ efforts to make playoffs. With 70 points, they are now four points outside of the final Wild Card spot in the East. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights’s two points on Thursday gave them a three-point lead for first place in the Pacific Division.
Players to watch
Golden Knights: Pavel Dorofeyev (forward) 68 games played, 30 goals, 16 assists, 46 points; Jack Eichel (center) 67 games played, 21 goals, 61 assists, 82 points; Brandon Saad (forward) 16 games played, 5 goals, 5 assists, 10 points.
Detroit: Lucas Raymond (forward) 67 games played, 23 goals, 46 assists, 69 points; Dylan Larkin (center) 67 games played, 28 goals, 32 assists, 50 points; Alex DeBrincat (forward) 68 games played, 31 goals, 27 assists, 58 points.
Non-active players
Golden Knights: Shea Theodore (arm), Raphael Lavoie (upper body).
Detroit: Carter Mazur (upper body), Erik Gustafsson (undisclosed), Elmer Söderblom (undisclosed), Jeff Petry (undisclosed), Andrew Copp (pectoral)
How to watch
TV: ABC (Cox Communications, channel 13). ESPN+ (streaming).
Betting line
Golden Knights -218 Detroit +180. Over/under 5.5 (-130/+110)
Who is goal
Golden Knights: Adin Hill – 36 games played, 2.5 goals against average, .908 save percentage, 4 shutouts.
Detroit: TBD
