Theodore's last-minute goal keeps Golden Knights unbeaten as Vegas beats Flyers 3-2

2023-10-25 14:24

Shea Theodore blasted a shot from above the left circle with 32.5 seconds left to give Vegas a 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers and extend the Golden Knights’ winning streak to seven games to open the season

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Shea Theodore blasted a shot from above the left circle with 32.5 seconds left Tuesday night to give Vegas a 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers and extend the Golden Knights' winning streak to seven games to open the season.

Ivan Barbashev and Paul Cotter also scored for the Knights and Jack Eichel had two assists. Logan Thompson made 26 saves.

Noah Cates and Cam Atkinson scored for Philadelphia, and Carter Hart stopped 25 shots.

The Knights' 7-0 start ties seven other teams for ninth best in NHL history. Vegas, which has scored at least three goals in every game, also has the best start for a defending Stanley Cup champion.

The Knights scored the first goal at 6:54 of the first period when Jonathan Marchessault passed behind the Flyers' net to Eichel for a point-blank shot. Hart saved the shot, but the rebound went right to Barbashev, who buried the shot.

The Flyers scored twice in the final 6:53 of the period to take a 2-1 lead. After Cates scored off teammate Joel Farabee's rebound, Atkinson got a can't-believe-it-went-in goal from the left circle. Thompson couldn't corral the puck that was heading wide, but dropped behind him, and Atkinson smiled in disbelief.

It's the first time this season the Knights have trailed after a period.

The Flyers' lead held up through the second, though both teams had high-quality shots, Philadelphia early in the period and the Knights later. It was the second time Vegas has been shut out in a period this season.

Vegas wouldn't be shut out in the third period. William Karlsson delivered pass to Cotter as he was entering the zone. Cotter then deked Philadelphia's Egor Zamula in the right circle and scored to tie the game at 2-2 with 7:54 left. The goal extended Cotter's point streak to four games and Karlsson's to five.

That set up Theodore's winner, extending his point streak to five games.

UP NEXT

Flyers: At home against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday.

Golden Knights: At home against the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday for the annual Nevada Day afternoon game.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL