Sanford's 4 goals not enough as Blues lose in Vegas 6-5
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jonathan Marchessault's power-play goal in overtime lifted the Vegas Golden Knights to a 6-5 victory Thursday night over the St. Louis Blues, who played their first game since Jay Bouwmeester's medical scare.
The Blues' game Tuesday night against Anaheim was postponed after the 36-year-old Bouwmeester collapsed on the team's bench in the first period. A defibrillator was used on the veteran defenseman before he was taken to a hospital, where he continues to undergo tests.
The Golden Knights tied a franchise record with four power-play goals, including two by Marchessault and one each by Max Pacioretty and Nate Schmidt. Pacioretty also had an even-strength goal, as did Alex Tuch.
Zach Sanford scored four goals for the Blues and now has 13 points in his last nine games. Mackenzie Maceachern also scored for St. Louis.
The Golden Knights were just 3 for 26 on the power play in their first nine games under coach Peter DeBoer, but finished 4 for 5 on Thursday night.
For Vegas, it was a much-needed win after being shut out in Minnesota on Tuesday. The Golden Knights, who improved to 5-3-2 under DeBoer, continue to fight for a playoff spot in the jam-packed Pacific Division.
The Golden Knights erased a two-goal deficit when Marchessault scored on the power play with a minute left in the second period, and Schmidt tallied with the man-advantage early in the third period.
Sanford opened the scoring just 25 seconds into the game when he fired a shot from the circle that beat Subban.
But the Golden Knights fired right back as Pacioretty scored back-to-back goals to give Vegas a 2-1 lead.
Sanford took a pass from Robert Bortuzzo and made a nifty move to his backhand to deke Subban and notch an easy goal to tie the game. Maceachern would add a goal late in the first to push St. Louis back in front.
Sanford got his first career hat trick when he punched home his own rebound five minutes into the second period.
Sanford and Tuch exchanged goals late in the third period.
NOTES: The Golden Knights recently announced the purchase of an AHL franchise membership from Spurs Sports & Entertainment, which currently operates the San Antonio Rampage — the current AHL-affiliate of the Blues. On Thursday, the team announced it will work closely with nearby Henderson city officials on developing a second hockey facility, which will be a state-of-the-art, 6,000-seat arena for the AHL team. The team will play at the Orleans Arena next season. ... Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis and coach Jon Gruden were greeted with loud cheers from the announced sellout crowd of 18,252 when shown on the T-Mobile Arena jumbotron. ... Vegas RW Alex Tuch played in his 100th career game.
UP NEXT
St. Louis: hosts Nashville on Saturday.
Vegas: hosts the N.Y. Islanders on Saturday.
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