LAS VEGAS -- The Golden Knights clinched the Pacific Division for the fourth time in eight years after defeating the Nashville Predators 5-3 on Saturday night.
Noah Hanifin snapped a 15-game goal drought by scoring with 1:55 left in the game to snap a 3-3 tie with a blistering shot from the point to put the Golden Knights ahead after they squandered a two-goal lead to start the third period.
"I was asked this morning what I thought one of the great qualities of our team was, and I thought it was our resilience, our willingness to push back and keep playing no matter what," Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. "Now, do we want to give up a two-goal lead right out the gates to start the third? Of course not. You got to be mindful of another team might not let you off the hook if you do that. We have to be careful with that. Every team in this league is good. If you don't play the right way, I don't care who you're playing, a team that's eliminated, (a) first-place (team), whatever, you know they're going to make you pay."
Vegas, which has won four of its last five games, also got goals from Brett Howden, Nic Roy, Alexander Holtz and Ivan Barbashev in the win, while Adin Hill made 14 saves.
Here are three takeaways from the game:
SHEA-D BUSINESS: Shea Theodore's assist on Roy’s goal broke the franchise record for points in a single season by a defenseman. It was Theodore's 55th point of the season (7 goals, 48 assists). The 55 points are a career-high for the 29-year-old. His previous high was 52 points, set during the 2021-22 season. His 48 assists are also a career-high.
🚨 FRANCHISE RECORD ALERT 🚨
— y-Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) April 13, 2025
Shea Theodore has broken the record for points in a single season by a VGK defenseman with his 55th point of the year!!!#VegasBorn
HENDERSON HOLTZ: After spending a good portion of the first half of the season with the Golden Knights, Holtz was sent down the interstate to the team's AHL franchise in nearby Henderson. Holtz said his time spent with the Silver Knights helped with his poise on the ice, while he felt his puck control improved which translated into more confidence on the ice upon returning to Vegas. The goal was his fourth of the season for the Golden Knights.
"He's a better player than when he left, so that's a positive," Cassidy said. "That's a credit to the player that goes down there, identifies that this isn't punishment. You're on a good hockey team, a first-place team when he left, and you got to get better if you expect to push through and grab someone's job."
🎥 Holtz: It was really fun to be out there, it's really fun to be up with this group again, nice to get a win. pic.twitter.com/5XPjKNMcOp
— y-Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) April 13, 2025
MARCHESSAULT'S RETURN: Former Golden Knight Jonathan Marchessault returned to T-Mobile Arena for the first time since signing with the Predators last summer. An original member of the franchise, Marchessault remains one of the most beloved players in the team's short history, as he helped lead the team to the 2023 Stanley Cup title.
The 34-year-old, who scored a goal early in the third period, received a standing ovation after an 80-second video played on the area's large video above the ice.
Thanks for all the memories, Marchy. Welcome back to The Fortress!! 📣 #VegasBornpic.twitter.com/h7UGdVH9B6
— y-Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) April 13, 2025
"It was unbelievable," Marchessault. "That's what you expect. High-class organization, high-class people from top to bottom. Great fans, unbelievable. They were always there for me and my family, but for anyone that puts on a jersey there. It was just unbelievable to see Vegas. It's gonna be unbelievable memories for me for sure."
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