LAS VEGAS – When the Vegas Golden Knights send their fourth line out, it’s a welcome sight when it scores goals.
The Golden Knights’ fourth line – forwards Cole Schwindt, Nicolas Roy and Keegan Kolesar – rose to the occasion in a 5-0 victory against the Calgary Flames at T-Mobile Arena on Monday.
Kolesar scored twice with an assist. Roy also scored with two assists, while Schwidnt had two assists. All the forwards’ points came in the third period.
“They do so much grunt work. The shot-blocking. The PK stuff. The checking against top people,” Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. “When they get rewarded, guys get excited too, for those types of players. That’s the part of the game that lifts your team when those things happen.”
Strong defensive showing
While the fourth line closed out the game with a flurry, it was a total team defensive effort that helped pick up the win.
Vegas (7-2-1) limited Calgary to 16 shots to help Adin Hill earn his eighth career shutout of the season. The Golden Knights blocked 23 shots to help keep shots away from Hill.
“It was our best (defensive) performance,” Cassidy said. “Adin was there when we needed him. He looked good. Even if we were a little looser, it looked like he was on tonight. It’s good for his confidence. Not only a shutout, but a good solid game. Good on the guys. We looked sharp.”
Coming alive
After an uneventful first period where the Golden Knights led 1-0 thanks to an Alex Pietrangelo goal, the Golden Knights turned up the intensity. They limited the Flames to four shots in the period and extended their lead off a Mark Stone slapshot to go up 2-0 entering the third.
The fourth line came alive in the third period. They pressured with a heavy forecheck and kept the puck in their offensive zone for most of their shifts.
Kolesar scored the first goal of the three-goal third, tapping in a cross-ice pass from Schwindt at the back post. The goal came at 2:19.
“I had an idea what they ran in that situation,” Schwindt said. “I had a feeling ‘Keegs’ was going to the back post there. Luckily, it found him.”
Kolesar struck again at 13:59, one-timing a Roy pass in the low slot.
Then 15 seconds later, Roy scored his goal to cap off the 5-0 victory.
“We had a good first two periods,” Schwindt said. “It was just a matter of time for us.”
The win capped off a four-game homestand where the Golden Knights outscored their opposition 24-8.
“Everybody involved. Sometimes, your team gets hot,” Cassidy said. “We might be going through one of those. I’d love to keep this pace. Don’t get me wrong. Things are going in for us.”
Paul Delos Santos is the Las Vegas sports insider for Dice City Sports. Follow him on X at @PaulDelos_.
