Adin Hill made 24 saves Thursday as the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-2 at T-Mobile Arena, giving the goaltender his third consecutive start and a much-needed boost in confidence.

Hill, who missed three months earlier this season with a lower-body injury, has started six of the team’s nine games since the Olympic break. This week marked his busiest stretch, going 1-2 but allowing just seven goals on 60 shots.

“It’s nice to string a few games in a row here and get in a bit of a rhythm,” Hill said. “Just onto the next game and stay focused.”

The win was just the third in nine games for the Golden Knights since returning from the break. Hill’s performance included 2.53 goals saved above expected, per MoneyPuck, one of his best analytical outings of the season.

“He’s our No. 1,” coach Bruce Cassidy said. “He’s paid to be a No. 1. He’s got the experience.”

Cassidy acknowledged the delicate balance of managing Hill’s workload. The coach said he will never play a goalie more than three times in a week, and Akira Schmid is likely to start Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks. Hill would then face the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday.

“There’s always science behind this,” Cassidy said. “We have people that say, ‘Hey, you got to be a little careful. There’s a history.’”

Hill’s season has been defined by the lengthy lower-body injury that cost him a chance to build on a career-high 50 starts last season and a potential Olympic roster spot with Canada.

“I haven’t played a ton of hockey games this year,” Hill said. “Being injured for a while there sucks, and you want to be on the ice every night.”

With the playoffs approaching, the Golden Knights are counting on Hill to be the backbone of their run. “It’s no secret you need to be hot going into the playoffs to have a chance,” Hill said. “We’re just trying to focus building on that.”