Golden Knights hold off Kraken, inch closer to Pacific title

Danny Webster, Las Vegas Review-Journal on Apr 11, 2025

Published in Hockey

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LAS VEGAS — The celebration has been put on hold for at least one more night, but the Vegas Golden Knights are on the doorstep of the Pacific Division title.

The Knights got half of what they needed to clinch, a 2-1 regulation win over the Seattle Kraken on Thursday at T-Mobile Arena.

The other half did not materialize, as the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Anaheim Ducks 6-1 down Interstate 15 at Crypto.com Arena.

Instead, the Knights will have to wait until Saturday to have a shot at clinching their fourth division title in eight seasons. They can clinch with a regulation win over former Original Misfit Jonathan Marchessault and the Nashville Predators on Saturday, or a Kings regulation loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.

Center William Karlsson and left wing Ivan Barbashev scored, and goaltender Adin Hill made 24 saves for the Knights (48-22-9) in their ninth win in 12 games (9-1-2).

The Knights had to get the win without center Jack Eichel (upper body) and defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (illness).

Seattle (34-40-6) came in winner of three of its past four and is in the playing-for-pride phase of the season after missing the playoffs for the third time in four years.

The Kraken dominated the early phases by hemming in the Knights in the defensive zone. Hill and his teammates were pressured from the get-go and didn’t have much room to operate.

Hockey, however, remains a sport in which one bounce can change a game. In this instance, a turnover by Seattle led to a transition chance for the Knights’ top line. The loose puck kicked to Barbarshev near the top of the left circle, and he snapped it past Seattle goalie Joey Daccord for a 1-0 lead at 6:58.

Karlsson added to the lead at 7:56 of the second off another Seattle turnover. The Knights got a three-on-two after a neutral-zone turnover, and left wing Reilly Smith found a trailing Karlsson for the 2-0 lead.

Seattle got one back at 17:21 off a scramble in front when left wing Jared McCann tapped in the loose puck from the crease, cutting the lead to 2-1.

The Kraken were given the only two power plays of the game in the third period, but the Knights’ strong penalty kill continued its run of form with two solid kills.

It wasn’t the prettiest game following a three-game road trip in which the Knights nearly earned all six points, but they held on in a defensive slugfest without some key names. This time of year is a reminder that it’s all about the wins.

And the Knights are one away from earning home-ice advantage through the first two rounds of the playoffs.

Three takeaways from the win:

1. Hertl returns

Center Tomas Hertl played 16:01 with no shots on goal in his return to the lineup after missing the past eight games with a shoulder injury.

Hertl suffered the injury March 23 against the Tampa Bay Lightning when he was shoved into the end boards by defenseman Emil Lilleberg.

The 31-year-old Hertl is second on the team with 31 goals and has a franchise record 14 power-play goals. The Knights didn’t get a chance to see the man advantage in Hertl’s return, as they did not draw a penalty.

2. Hill nears 50

The career year of the Knights’ goaltender continues with Hill picking up his 31st win in his 49th start of the season.

Both are career highs.

Hill made it a goal coming into this season to reach 50 starts. Barring unforeseen circumstances, Hill will get that opportunity Saturday in the Knights’ home finale.

Hill improved to 11-3-1 since the 4 Nations Face-Off. It’s the sixth time he’s allowed one goal or fewer.

3. Hague late scratch

Defenseman Nic Hague, who missed Tuesday’s game in Colorado due to an illness, took part in warmups and was listed on the starting roster but did not play.

Ben Hutton filled in for him as a late replacement and had three shots in 14:44.

A number of Knights players have been battling an illness. Karlsson was dealing with it on the road trip, and left wing Victor Olofsson missed Thursday’s game because of it and was replaced by Alexander Holtz.