In an intense contest at T-Mobile Arena, the Vegas Golden Knights emerged victorious with a score of 5-3, thanks to Jonathan Marchessault's hat trick that culminated in the game-winning goal late in the third period (34-23-7).
With just over a minute remaining and an empty net, Marchessault scored his third goal to clinch victory for the Golden Knights, maintaining their wild-card position in the Western Conference playoffs.
The Conn Smythe Trophy winner from last year's Stanley Cup final had a career-high 35th goal and added an assist for a three-point night.
Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy is very happy with the results. The first period saw the Golden Knights take a commanding 2-0 lead, thanks to goals by Pavel Dorofeyev and Marchessault.
The Red Wings refused to be outdone and responded with two quick goals late in the second period to tie the game at 2-2.
Although it was Marchessault's heroics that sealed the win for Vegas, Jack Eichel played a key role in the victory with three assists, while Dorofeyev added another goal to his tally.
The Red Wings were led by Michael Rasmussen's goal and assist, as well as efforts from J.T. Compher and Shayne Gostisbehere.
As a coach, I liked the way we won. Forecheck was good. We were getting inside for chances. We were creating offense by going to the net
Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy
Both teams entered the game on a losing streak, with Vegas trying to hold onto their wild-card spot and Detroit looking to bounce back after a rough patch.
The Game in a Nutshell
The opening stanza belonged to the Golden Knights, who fired 19 shots toward the Red Wings' net, more than double their opponents' seven attempts, and kept the puck for an extended period.
In the period, Dorofeyev netted the first goal for his team, increasing his season tally to eight goals. Subsequently, Marchessault scored his second goal of the game off an exquisite assist from Eichel that came within two minutes.
Detroit refused to be outdone and fought back late in the second period, with Rasmussen's goal coming at the buzzer to tie the game.
The third period was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading goals until Marchessault's heroics secured the win for Vegas.
Eichel was instrumental in the victory, setting up two of Marchessault's goals and controlling play from the center position.
Dorofeyev's return to the lineup after an injury also proved crucial, as he added another goal to help lift the Golden Knights to a much-needed win.
Marchessault's hat trick was the difference in this closely contested game, and it kept the Golden Knights' playoff hopes alive for another day.
This summary of goals for the season clearly shows that Marchessault is an athlete on fire. He scored three of his career-high 35 goals this season in this game. Dorofeyev, on the other hand, scored two of his nine goals for the season.
For Detroit, Rasmussen put in one to reach 18 goals for the season, Compher made his sixth, and Gostisbehere put in another to hit 4 for the season.
Unsung Heroes No More
Goals and wins are always a team effort. For the winning Vegas team, working just beyond the spotlight was Eichel at 30 assists, Seider at 18, and Perron at 28.
For Detroit, the valiant efforts of Larkin at 37 assists, Bertuzzi at 29, and Cholowski at 16 have not gone unnoticed.
Hill made 23 saves for Vegas while Reimer managed 31 saves for Detroit.
The Golden Knights' win was a crucial one, as they look to keep their playoff position in the Western Conference and continue their quest for another Stanley Cup.
The Golden Knights will travel to Seattle to take on the Kraken on March 14.
