LAS VEGAS — The Golden Knights extended their point streak to eight games after losing to the New Jersey Devils in a shootout, 2-1, on Tuesday night.
Trailing 1-0 late in the third, Vegas got the equalizer when Pavel Dorofeyev scored a power-play goal at the 15:49 mark.
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But New Jersey goaltender Jake Allen put together a stalwart effort in overtime, stopping all four of Vegas’ shots, including one during a power play, and then all three of the Knights’ opportunities during the shootout.
Dorofeyev, Mark Stone and Mitch Marner missed their shots during the shootout. Marner’s shot went into the net, but only after hitting his skate following the initial shot.
Jesper Bratt scored the game-winning goal in the shootout for New Jersey, while Connor Brown scored the Devils’ regulation goal.
Carter Hart made 32 saves for Vegas, while Allen stopped 37 shot for the Devils.
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New Jersey improved to 9-6-0 against the Western Conference with the win.
Vegas, meanwhile, moved into a first-place tie in the Pacific Division with the Anaheim Ducks, both with 42 points.
“At the end of the day, you get into overtime, each team had a good look, then we got the power play, couldn’t quite finish it,” Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. “And shootouts, well, we just haven’t scored enough in the shootout. So, we’ll take the point. There was some good things. Always things to correct. Get ready for Calgary.”
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Playing without star center Jack Eichel, the Knights were finally able to find the back of the net when they scored a power-play goal for the third straight game. It was Dorofeyev’s second power-play in as many games, and ninth of the season.
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7-0-4 … The Golden Knights still don’t have a regulation loss against teams from the Metropolitan Division, grabbing 18 of a possible 22 points against them. Vegas and New Jersey ended up splitting their regular-season series after the Knights won 3-0 in New Jersey on Dec. 5.
Hart continues to play impressively, as it very easily could have been a high-scoring game if not for a goaltenders’ duel. Hart came up with several big saves, among his 32 stops, and still hasn’t lost in regulation. Since making his debut on Dec. 2, Hart is 3-0-2 with a 2.26 goals-against average and .917 save percentage.
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“It wasn’t our best game,” defenseman Brayden McNabb said. ” I think both goalies played outstanding today. Carter kept us in it in the first for sure. And we had our looks, we had lots of great chances there. Their goalie played well. To get a point is great. Would have liked to get two.”
The Golden Knights plays the first of back-to-back games in Western Canada on Saturday against Calgary.
PHOTO CAPTION: New Jersey Devils goaltender Jake Allen (34) makes a save against Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) during a shootout at T-Mobile Arena.
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