Stephenson’s 4 points help Golden Knights to shootout win against Blues
LAS VEGAS– Chandler Stephenson had four points and scored in the shootout in the Vegas Golden Knights’ 5-4 win over the St. Louis Blues on Friday at T-Mobile Arena.
Stephenson leveled it at 4-4 with a power play goal at 1:36 in the third period and grabbed a rebound on a shot from below the right faceoff circle.
“Anytime you try to get two, you have to have fun with it,” Stephenson said. “You can’t grip your stick too tight. … Some nights you get lucky.”
Stephenson had one goal and three assists, Michael Amadi had a goal and two assists, and Logan Thompson made 25 saves for Vegas (24-11-1). Mark Stein scored the winning goal on penalties.
“These guys (Stephenson, Stone and Amadio) were outstanding,” said Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy. “We need that. We’ve lost a couple of guys. The guys that are expected to produce have. We’re finding different ways to win. We’re finally scoring at home. … They’re taking the points this season. Good for ‘Stevie’. Good for Stoney. Good for Amadio.”
Video: [email protected]: Stephenson, Stone Lift Golden Knights in SO
Vladimir Tarasenko had a goal and two assists for St. Louis (16-16-2). Jordan Binnington Made 28 saves.
“It’s tough, but the boys fought hard. We scored enough goals to win,” said Blues coach Craig Berube. “We need more people to contribute, but we have this one line (Tarsesnko, Robert Thomas, Pavel Buchnevich) goal for us. … It was a hard-fought game. They’re close games. They are exciting games. I liked our effort but at the same time we need to clean up some puck games and get a little better defensively in our own zone.”
Alex Pietrangelo scored with a backhand after 5:22 of the first period after receiving a drop pass from Stephenson to give Vegas a 1-0 lead.
Buchnevich equalized 1-1 and scored a goal after 39 seconds of the second half.
The Golden Knights reclaimed the lead 2-1 when Stone grabbed a rebound at 4:29, but Tarasenko equalized with a power play goal from just outside the left circle at 6:17 to make it 2-2.
JustinFauk put the Blues 3-2 up with a shot from the right faceoff at 8:17, but Amadio equalized 3-3 at 18:34 after a cross-ice pass from Stone.
“I didn’t think he saw me at first,” Amadio said. “It was a great piece by ‘Stevey’ and [Stone].”
Video: [email protected]: Stephenson finishes top for PPG in 3rd place
It was Amadio’s third straight game with a point and second with a goal since he moved up to the front row with Stephenson and Stone.
“We’ve been through different types, but it’s working for him,” Cassidy said. “‘Amo’ is that type of player who can complement good players. … We had him in a lower place in the lineup but he had to change his game because the players around him are more north and south. Now he’s becoming one Opportunity to play the game he was used to in the American (Hockey) League or when he was junior Good for him to finally get up and do it.
Noël Acciari tilted into a Brandon Sad Shot at 10:45 of the third period to make it 4-3 for St. Louis.
After a hooking penalty from Saad, Stephenson scored his game-winning goal to extend the game.
“I was just trying to collapse on the net. That’s what you need to do 6-on-5 to get some dirty ones,” Stephenson said. “I had a lucky jump and it just sat there for me. I didn’t have to do too much with it. Nice to tie it.”
REMARKS: Blues defender Torey Krug had two assists to extend his assist streak to four games. He has five assists in that span. … Stephenson has a point in seven straight games. In this stretch he has three goals and eleven assists. … Amadio’s three points was an NHL career high. … Pietrangelo has a four-game points streak (two goals, four assists).
