A costly late turnover erased another strong defensive effort for the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday, as they fell 4-3 to the St. Louis Blues at Enterprise Center for their third straight regulation loss, despite holding St. Louis to a season-low 19 shots for the second game in a row.
The pattern has not been lost on the Golden Knights. After Wednesday’s loss to Nashville, head coach Bruce Cassidy pointed to preventable goals and breakdowns away from the puck as the difference, not effort or structure. “Those pucks have to stop going in from distance,” Cassidy said. “They give the other team juice. That’s what’s happening right now.” Friday’s loss followed a similar script, with Vegas controlling long stretches but paying for a handful of costly mistakes.
Strike first, trade punches
Vegas delivered the opening blow but could not separate in an even first period.
Keegan Kolesar opened the scoring at 10:12 with his first goal of the season, finishing a wrist shot during sustained early pressure. Colton Sissons and Kaedan Korczak earned assists on the play as the Golden Knights were rewarded for early pressure.
The lead lasted just 27 seconds. St. Louis answered at 10:39 to tie the game, erasing Vegas’ brief advantage in a period marked by tight checking and limited space.
Vegas generated six shots in the opening 20 minutes and held its own territorially, but two power-play opportunities went empty. A penalty shot earlier in the period, drawn by Jordan Kyrou, was turned aside by Carter Hart to keep the game level.
After one, the teams headed to the intermission tied 1-1, with Vegas striking first but still searching for a way to tilt momentum in its favor.
Punched back, but still chasing
Vegas absorbed a rough stretch early in the second period, then steadied itself to stay within striking distance.
The Blues tilted the game in their favor early in the second period, scoring twice in quick succession to erase the 1-1 tie and open a 3-1 lead. Defensive coverage broke down in front of Carter Hart, and St. Louis capitalized on sustained zone time to seize momentum.
The Golden Knights responded before the period slipped away. Mark Stone pulled Vegas back within one at 10:50, finishing a clean look off the rush to make it 3-2 and halt the Blues’ push. The goal settled the game and reignited the Vegas bench after the brief surge from St. Louis.
From there, Vegas carried much of the play. The Golden Knights outshot the Blues 12-7 in the period, generated multiple looks from the slot and the points, and spent extended time in the offensive zone, but could not find the equalizer before intermission.
Vegas headed to the second break down one, having weathered the early damage and positioned itself for another push in the third.
One mistake, one swing
Vegas pushed again in the third, but a single mistake proved decisive.
Pavel Dorofeyev tied the game at 11:39, finishing a clean look to pull the Golden Knights even at 3-3 and give Vegas life after spending much of the period pressing in the offensive zone. The goal marked another late response from a team that has shown an ability to rally, even while chasing games.
The breakthrough did not last. A costly neutral-zone turnover in the final two minutes allowed St. Louis to counter, and Brayden Schenn converted at 18:27 to restore the Blues’ lead. Vegas pressed late but could not generate another equalizer before time expired.
The loss came despite another strong defensive night. Vegas allowed just 19 shots, matching its season low for the second straight game, yet fell again as small mistakes outweighed long stretches of control.
Up next for the Golden Knights:
The Vegas Golden Knights (17-11-11) continue their road trip Sunday, Jan. 4, visiting the Chicago Blackhawks (14-18-7) with puck drop set for 7 p.m. EST.
Vegas then heads north to face the Winnipeg Jets (15-18-4) on Tuesday, Jan. 6, at 8 p.m. EST.
The trip concludes Thursday, Jan. 8, when the Golden Knights return home to host the Columbus Blue Jackets (17-16-6) at 10 p.m. EST, opening their home schedule for 2026.
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