Eichel shines in Knights return in 5-2 win over Penguins

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jack Eichel scored a goal and two assists on his return from a lower body injury, and the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 Thursday night.

Vegas leads the Western Conference and is second in the NHL at midseason. Pittsburgh, a 2-1 loser to Boston on Monday at the Winter Classic, has lost six straight games and has gone 0-4-2 since Dec. 27.

After giving the Knights a 2-0 lead early in the first half, Eichel – back after missing 11 games – assisted goals from Chandler Stephenson and Mark Stone. Paul Cotter, back with an upper-body injury after eight games, and Phil Kessel also scored while Adin Hill made 38 saves.

“It’s good to see posts up and down the lineup,” said Eichel. “I think that’s one of the strengths of our group, we have a strong team and we can roll out four rows and play against anyone.”

Coach Bruce Cassidy agreed, praising the Knights for their collective performance in a game in which nine skaters had at least one point, but it was obvious the team ran with a different energy since their star was back in the lineup.

“He’s an elite player in the league,” Cassidy said of Eichel. “He’s looking forward to playing again. He had, I would say, an all-star year when he started. Could still be in the mix.”

The Knights have won three straight and four straight at home, where they struggled for the win at times in the first half. Vegas improved to 12-9-0 at home where they will play their next six games.

Ty Smith scored early in the third goal for Pittsburgh, his first of the season, and Sidney Crosby added his 20th goal with 1:30 left. Casey DeSmith made 26 stops.

Kessel opened the scoring against his former team when he netted Cotter’s pass less than two minutes into the game. Eichel made his presence known shortly after, hitting DeSmith with a quick wrist shot at a breakaway on the right side of the slot.

Stephenson’s one-timer over DeSmith’s glove midway through the first made it 3-0.

The Penguins dominated the second period, knocking out Vegas 20-12, but couldn’t untie Hill. Instead, Vegas extended their lead to just 11 seconds when Stone deflected Brayden McNabb’s shot past DeSmith.

Pittsburgh spoiled the shutout bid in the third when Smith finished a drop pass in the high slot and snapped it past Hill.

Cotter’s late goal gave them the final lead.

“We’re a better hockey team than that. We showed it in the second and third, but we didn’t give ourselves a chance because we didn’t play well enough in the first,” said Penguins coach Mike Sullivan. “I’m sure everyone involved is frustrated because our expectations are high. If you don’t fulfill them… that’s one of the emotions you struggle with.”

NOTES: Vegas rookie goaltender Logan Thompson was named to the Pacific Division All-Star team just before the puck drop, while Pittsburgh’s Crosby was named to his ninth All-Star game of his career. … The Penguins came into the arena wearing blue and gold ribbons to support Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who wore blue and gold at the University of Pittsburgh and Central Catholic. … The Penguins put a ‘CF’ sticker on their helmet in memory of Kris Letang’s father Claude Fouquet.

Penguins: On Sunday in Arizona.

Golden Knights: Host Los Angeles on Saturday night.

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Wg Ramirez, The Associated Press