Golden Knights fall 3-2 at Capitals after late push

Vegas got its full lineup back, then spent 40 minutes chasing the game.

The Golden Knights scored twice in the third period and made it a one-goal night, but they couldn’t erase a three-goal second. Washington held on for a 3-2 win Friday at Capital One Arena.

Before puck drop, Bruce Cassidy admitted Vegas can be “a little bit reactionary,” and added, “I’d rather be a team that… finishes strong than start strong and finishes kind of poorly.” The Knights did push late. Still, the hole was too deep.

Second period flips the game

The first period ended scoreless, but Washington turned the second into the difference.

Pierre-Luc Dubois opened it at 0:49, then struck again at 3:23 to make it 2-0. Jakob Chychrun added a third at 14:52, and Vegas went to the break down 3-0 after getting pinned by the swing.

The Golden Knights had chances, including a first-period power play, but Logan Thompson kept the sheet clean early. Washington also went 0-for-5 on the power play, and Vegas’ penalty kill kept the deficit from growing.

Third-period push, but not enough

Vegas finally broke through at 2:27 of the third when Braeden Bowman scored to cut it to 3-1. The Knights kept leaning, and they got their opening on a too-many-men call against Washington.

On the power play, Tomas Hertl tipped in a goal at 9:15 of the third to make it 3-2 and give Vegas real life. Pavel Dorofeyev and Mitch Marner picked up the assists, and Hertl’s goal marked the 600th point of his NHL career.

Vegas had looks late, including with the net pulled, but Thompson closed it out as Washington survived the final push.

What they said

Cassidy’s pregame line matched the script once Vegas finally got going: “We’re a little bit reactionary… I’d like to see us more assertive to start the game.”

He also pointed to Dorofeyev’s growth as a reason Vegas can stay dangerous when games open up: “He finds good ice… he doesn’t just settle for outside stuff.”

And after a whirlwind week, Jack Eichel framed the reset simply: “It’s good to be back and see everybody and get back on track.”

Stats that mattered

Washington scored three times in the second period and didn’t need another. Vegas won the third 2-0, went 1-for-3 on the power play, and killed all five Capitals power plays. Washington held the edge in shots (30-26) and faceoffs (51.9%), while Thompson finished with 24 saves and Akira Schmid made 27 in the loss.