The Golden Knights battled back from a two-goal deficit but couldn’t complete the comeback Saturday night, falling 3-2 to the Seattle Kraken at T-Mobile Arena. Ivan Barbashev and Mitch Marner pulled Vegas even in the second, yet Kaapo Kakko’s third-period goal held up as the difference as the Knights pressed late. The loss marked Vegas’ sixth in its last seven games.
Kraken strike twice
Seattle grabbed control with two goals on its first six shots and took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.
First, Eeli Tolvanen opened the scoring at 6:50 on a wrist shot, with Ryan Winterton and Chandler Stephenson picking up the assists. Later, Jared McCann made it 2-0 at 13:04 on the power play, set up by Vince Dunn and Stephenson.
Vegas got seven shots on Joey Daccord but could not break through, including looks from Jonas Rondbjerg, Barbashev, and Noah Hanifin. The Golden Knights took the period’s only penalty, a too-many-men minor at 11:51, and Seattle cashed it.
Vegas finds its footing
Vegas pushed back in the second and erased a two-goal deficit to head into the break tied, 2-2.
Barbashev started the rally at 8:52, ripping a wrist shot past Daccord after Jack Eichel hit him with a perfect pass through the slot, with Ben Hutton also earning an assist. The goal fit a familiar pattern for Barbashev, who has produced most of his offense at T-Mobile Arena this season, with 11 of his 15 goals coming at home.
Later, the Golden Knights struck again on the power play, rolling out a five-forward look. Tomas Hertl moved the puck to Marner, who attacked open ice, adjusted his release, and beat Daccord at 19:48. A layered screen from Mark Stone and Hertl helped seal the tying goal, with Eichel also picking up an assist. It marked Marner’s 14th goal of the season.
The push was noticeable as the period wore on. Late in the frame, Jack Eichel stationed himself in front of the Golden Knights’ bench, urging on teammates between shifts. During the second intermission, Marner told VGK rinkside reporter Ashali Vise the group could feel the momentum turn as Vegas stopped chasing and started dictating play.
“We just got better as the period went on,” Marner said. “We were sick of playing from behind, especially early in games and especially in this building. We pushed back, and you could feel it. We have to keep doing that. On the power play, Jack made a great play and had my back. I just tried to get over there as fast as I could.”
Late push, no finish
Seattle broke the 2-2 tie early in the third when Kakko scored at 3:18 on a backhand, with Adam Larsson earning the assist. That goal held up as the difference.
Vegas pushed for an equalizer and finished with 11 third-period shots, but Daccord held firm. Akira Schmid also kept the Golden Knights close with stops on Shane Wright and Jordan Eberle.
In the final minute, Vegas generated a flurry of chances at the top of the crease, but could not find a tying bounce before the horn. The 3-2 loss dropped the Golden Knights to six losses in their last seven.
Up next for the Golden Knights
The Vegas Golden Knights head back on the road tomorrow, Sunday, Feb. 1, to face the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center. Puck drop is set for 6:30 p.m. PT. Anaheim, as of Thursday night, sits at 28-23-3, good for 58 points.
With only two games left before the NHL break, the Golden Knights return to the Fortress for a two-game set against the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday, Feb. 5, then the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday, Feb. 6.
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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.
