No Mark Stone? No problem? The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday, 3-2, getting two road points.
Sometimes, life throws a monkey wrench into your plans. Perhaps you've dealt with someone flying on a crotch rocket without their front headlights, running into them. Maybe your company closes down suddenly, leaving you looking for a new job.
Sometimes, how you respond determines your path down the road. Perhaps you're wallowing in your sorrows, blaming outside factors like the economy. But maybe you're the Vegas Golden Knights and don't let that get to your head. That's especially true when you don't have Mark Stone for the game against the Anaheim Ducks. How did they respond?
They defeated the Ducks, 3-2, behind a good performance from Adin Hill. The goaltender stopped 22 of 24 shots, rebounding from a rough outing on Monday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Golden Knights were also aided by Shea Theodore's two assists, giving his former team headaches throughout the night.
The Golden Knights also had goals from Nicolas Roy, Tomas Hertl (power play) and Pavel Dorofeyev. Jack Eichel also chipped in his 20th assist, continuing his campaign as a Hart Trophy candidate. Overall, it was a vast improvement from the Monday dud, which saw the team collapse all around.
Some notable highlights from the Vegas Golden Knights's Wednesday night victory
The Anaheim Ducks made matters interesting in the third period, with Frank Vatrano getting a solid set-up from Brett Leason with over 13 seconds left.
Nifty move from Brett Leason to set up Frank Vatrano 🔥#FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/xa331zIHDO
— Ducks on Victory+ (@DucksOnVictory) November 14, 2024
Then came the extra attacker, helping the Ducks get a quick onslaught on Adin Hill. Luckily, the Vegas Golden Knights netminder stood his ground as Vegas got their second road win of the season.
On the opposite end, Lukas Dostal stopped 36 of 39 shots, keeping the Ducks in the game. The goaltender entered Wednesday's contest with a save percentage of .922 (sixth-best in the NHL). Getting goals past the Czech netminder wasn't easy, yet the Golden Knights did it without Mark Stone around.
Offensively, the team looked competent, with the power play turning in another solid performance. The unit mustered seven shots, with Hertl scoring another power play goal in the second period. It appears the unit being a top-five group is here to stay, specifically with the two-time All-Star leading the charge.
So what's next for Vegas? They'll head to Salt Lake City on Friday to face the Utah Hockey Club. Jack Eichel and company look to add another road win to their arsenal, as the Golden Knights hope to build off their quick start. After Wednesday's game, the franchise improved to 10-4-2 and 22 points, getting back into first place with a Los Angeles Kings loss.
As for the Ducks? They fell to 5-8-2 with 12 points. Suddenly, they're dead last in the Pacific Division, where even the San Jose Sharks are ahead. They'll play the Detroit Red Wings on Friday at the Honda Center. It looks like another long season for hockey fans in Orange County, who wonder if the rebuild will ever end.
Luckily, Golden Knights fans aren't familiar with this feeling yet. The good times are rolling and a certain Captain hopes to return soon. The pieces are falling in place for a possible happy ending, where Vegas could be on top again.
