LAS VEGAS — The Golden Knights efficiently carried their regular-season ending momentum into the postseason by overcoming a deficit with three third-period targets for a 4-2 win over the Utah Mammoth in Game 1 of their opening spherical collection.
Captain Mark Stone scored the equalizer with a power-play objective 5:33 into the third interval, Nic Dowd fired the even-strength game-winner in on the 7:20 mark, and (*1*) put the sport away with an empty-net objective with 1:39 remaining.
Vegas, which closed the common season 7-0-1 after coach John Tortorella took over for fired Bruce Cassidy, additionally acquired a objective from Colton Sissons within the second interval.
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Goaltender Carter Hart continued his personal private scorching streak by stopping 31 pictures, together with the one two Utah might handle throughout its lone power-play alternative.
The Mammoth might’ve seized momentum early within the recreation when Dylan Guenther had time and area within the low slot, however was stymied by Hart, whose pad save stored the sport scoreless. While he had a handful of key stops all through the sport, particularly down the stretch, it was the early save that probably instilled confidence for Hart and stored Utah from taking management simply 4 minutes into the sport.
52-30 … The Golden Knights held a serious benefit with hits, nearly doubling up the Mammoth in what was a particularly bodily recreation. Utah got here in with a bully-like mentality, hoping to make the primary punch depend, however Vegas responded, led by Keegan Kolesar (9) and Ivan Barbashev (8).
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In a recreation the place Vegas’ huge weapons of Stone, Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner turned in a mixed objective and help, a supporting forged that included Sissons (1 objective, 1 help) and Noah Hanifin (2 assists) contributed on the stat sheet. Sissons’ play stood out most, together with his first multi-point recreation since Feb. 25, when he had a objective and an help throughout a 6-4 win in Los Angeles. Fun reality with Sissons: the Knights had been 8-2 when he registered at the very least one level throughout the common season and are actually 1-0 within the postseason when he hits the stat sheet.
The Golden Knights proceed their best-of-seven playoff collection with the Mammoth in Game 2 on Tuesday.
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Vegas Golden Knights heart Colton Sissons (10) awaits a face off in opposition to the Utah Mammoth throughout the second interval of recreation one of many first spherical of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena.
