The Golden Knights never seemed like they were in trouble through 40 minutes Sunday, as they controlled play during five-on-five and held the lead.
“And then,” coach Bruce Cassidy said, “we’re in trouble.”
The Knights let a victory slip through their grasp, allowing three unanswered goals in the third period of a 4-2 loss to the Rangers at Madison Square Garden in New York.
That collapse spoiled a magnificent two-goal effort from center Jack Eichel and began their four-game road swing on a sour note. The Knights (31-16-6) lost their third straight and fell to 3-5-3 their past 11 games.
Defenseman K’Andre Miller scored the go-ahead goal with 8:27 remaining after the Knights failed to clear the puck from the defensive zone. New York was 1-20-1 when trailing after two periods before rallying Sunday.
“At the beginning of the year it seemed like we were confident going into those third periods,” Eichel said. “We’ve played with a lot of leads and been able to put teams away, and as of late, it’s kind of slipped a little bit. It’s frustrating. We’ve got to figure out a way to get out of this.”
Eichel gave the Knights a 1-0 lead on the power play with 18.8 seconds left in the opening period. The Knights have a power-play goal in seven straight road games, matching the franchise record.
After left wing Alexis Lafreniere answered 1:18 into the second period for New York, Eichel restored the Knights’ advantage. He stormed through the neutral zone and snapped a shot past Rangers goalie Jonathan Quick’s glove 9:16 into the period. It was Eichel’s 22nd multipoint game this season, tied for the most in club history.
But the Knights were unable to extend their 2-1 lead, and the Rangers made them pay.
Center Mika Zibanejad pounced on a loose puck in the crease after goaltender Adin Hill couldn’t control a shot by center J.T. Miller. The power-play goal tied the score 2-2 just 5:04 into the third period.
The Knights had a chance to regain the lead, but center Nicolas Roy couldn’t convert a pass from right wing Raphael Lavoie during a 2-on-0. K’Andre Miller then put the Rangers ahead, and right wing Artemi Panarin added a power-play goal with 1:41 left for New York, which snapped a three-game losing skid.
“We’ve just got to find ways to come out on the right side of those games,” defenseman Zach Whitecloud said. “That’s been part of what’s been going on.”
The Rangers converted on both of their power plays in the third period.
The Knights had 33 shot attempts that either missed the net entirely or were blocked by New York. Center Tomas Hertl saw his 11-game point streak end.
“We didn’t finish well enough to extend the lead in the second,” Cassidy said. “Even the chances in the third, we’re off net too often with our chances. That’s happening a lot lately for us.”
1. Saad debuts
Left wing Brandon Saad, who signed a one-year contract with the Knights on Friday, didn’t have to wait long to get into the action. The 32-year-old was forced to take the opening faceoff after center Brett Howden was kicked out of the center circle.
Saad, skating with Howden and captain Mark Stone, finished with three shots on goal in 16:22 of ice time.
His best chance came in the second period when he had a two-on-one with Howden, but he fired a shot that caught Quick’s right arm and went out of play.
“I thought Saad was fine, had a couple of looks,” Cassidy said.
2. New D pairs
Not only did the forward lines get a shakeup with the addition of Saad, but Cassidy opted to change two of his defense pairings. Alex Pietrangelo partnered Nic Hague, while Noah Hanifin joined Whitecloud.
As much as anything, the move also appeared to be an acknowledgment that Shea Theodore has been the Knights’ best defenseman this season.
Theodore and Brayden McNabb were used as the No. 1 pairing against the Rangers and led the team in ice time. Theodore logged 24:55 on 28 shifts and McNabb played 23:19.
The Knights had a 57.8 percent shot share and a 12-5 advantage in scoring chances with Theodore and McNabb on the ice at five-on-five, according to to the website Natural Stat Trick. But the duo also was on the ice for Miller’s game-winning goal.
3. American hero
Quick, who played with the Knights during their run to the Stanley Cup in 2023, made 34 saves to record his 400th career victory.
He is 15th on the NHL’s all-time wins list and the first American-born goalie to reach that milestone.
Quick’s best stop came in the first period when he robbed Eichel with his glove hand.
“Incredibly happy for the guy,” Whitecloud said. “Wherever he goes, he’s incredibly valuable. … He’s just a good team guy.”
Contact David Schoen at [email protected] or 702-387-5203. Follow @DavidSchoenLVRJ on X.
