Reilly Smith broke a third period Deadlock and Vegas Golden Knights ran their winning line to six matches with a 3-1 victory over Nashville Predators on Saturday.
Jack Eichel and Brett Howden also scored for the Pacific Division-leading Golden Knights (45-20-8, 98 points), which only has two defeat for regulation time in 15 matches (11-2-2).
Goalkeeper Adin Hill made 23 rescues in a solid goal struggle that covered his team’s perfect three-game road trip.
Ryan O’reilly accounted for predators (27-38-8, 62 points), which only has two wins in nine excursions.
Goalkeeper Justus Annunen stopped 26 shots for Nashville, who has been eliminated from the playoffs in the Stanley Cup.
Smith broke a 1-1 deadlock on the power play with his first goal since he was acquired from the New York Rangers at the trade deadline. The first shot was stopped, but the puck was delimited in the air to Smith on the side of the net for the simple tap-in. It was his first goal in 23 matches.
The hosts pressed for the equalizer and generated some chances – the biggest Justin Barron’s outbreak – but could not solve Hill before Howden made an empty net with 44 seconds left.
Howden, which turned 27 on Saturday, has goals in three games in a row.
After a low event, speechless opening frame, the clubs traded the second period.
O’reilly’s Power-Play goal opened the score at 5:53. After winning the offensive zone face-off, O’reilly went in front of the net and died the score for his first goal in 12 matches.
Eichel answered at 8:26 by the period and encountered a rebound chance to sue and run his score for six matches. He has six goals and six assists in that span.
Predators forward Colton Sissons left during the first period and could not put weight on his left leg after falling difficult. He was reportedly seen to leave the building on crutches.
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