National Hockey League
Vegas 4, Vancouver 1
When: 10:00 PM ET, Thursday, November 30, 2023
Where: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia
Referees: Jean Hebert, Michael Markovic
Linesmen: Ryan Jackson, Bevan Mills
Attendance: 18856

Jack Eichel finished with a goal and two assists and Ivan Barbashev had a goal and an assist as the Vegas Golden Knights won the battle for first place in the Pacific Division, routing the host Vancouver Canucks 4-1 on Thursday.

William Karlsson and Brett Howden also scored for the defending Stanley Cup champion Golden Knights, who snapped a three-game losing streak (0-1-2).

Adin Hill was superb in goal for Vegas in the first two periods, stopping all 16 shots he faced. He was replaced at the start of the third by Logan Thompson, who finished with five saves.

The Golden Knights announced that Hill exited "for precautionary measures" without elaborating.

Andrei Kuzmenko scored and goalie Thatcher Demko stopped 40 of 44 shots for the Canucks, who lost for just the second time in regulation at home this season, where they are 8-2-1.

Vancouver needed a victory to take over first place in the Pacific, which is starting to get crowded at the top. The Los Angeles Kings have reeled off a 7-2-1 record over the past 10 games, and they are now two points back of the Canucks for second in the division with 29 points. The Golden Knights sit atop the division with 34 points.

Barbashev opened the scoring off a wild scramble in front of the Canucks' goal with a backhand between Demko's legs at 4:46 of the first period.

Eichel, who assisted on Barbashev's goal, hooked up with his teammate again at 16:18 of the first to score on a snap shot from the side of the net to make it 2-0.

Karlsson scored his team-leading 11th goal from the right faceoff circle on a power play to make it 3-0 Vegas at 11:27 of the second.

The Golden Knights went up 4-0 just 16 seconds into the third period when a shot from the point hit Demko's blocker and bounced in off the left arm of Howden.

Kuzmenko finished off a two-on-one break with J.T. Miller 4:01 into the third to make it 4-1.

Vancouver made a trade before the game, acquiring defenseman Nikita Zadorov from the Calgary Flames for two draft picks.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Vegas   Vancouver
Jack Eichel 3 Points Andrei Kuzmenko 1
Jack Eichel 1 Goals Andrei Kuzmenko 1
Jack Eichel 2 Assists Brock Boeser 1
William Karlsson 1 Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Adin Hill 1.000 Save Percentage Thatcher Demko .909
Adin Hill 16 Saves Thatcher Demko 40
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Vegas 44 4 1-3 3-3 6 28
Vancouver 22 1 0-3 2-3 6 18
Upcoming Games
  • Vancouver will play their next game on the road against Calgary. The Canucks have a W/L % of .562 after a win and .750 after a loss.
  • Vegas will play their next game at home against Washington. The Golden Knights have a W/L % of .667 after a win and .556 after a loss.