Carter Hart win lifts Golden Knights over Blackhawks in shootout

Bowman ties it late, Theodore finishes it

Vegas pulled even again at 17:32 of the third when Braeden Bowman flipped a backhand through Spencer Knight after Theodore’s point shot created traffic. It was Bowman’s fifth goal of the season and another example of his knack for finding soft ice, a trait teammates often connect to Stone.

“He has a nose for the net,” Theodore said. “Very Stonyesque.”

In the shootout, Pavel Dorofeyev scored first, Hart delivered two stops, and Theodore closed it with a forehand winner.

Overtime breakthrough gives Vegas momentum

Vegas had dropped eight straight games in overtime or the shootout. Tuesday felt like relief as much as result.

“We just needed to capitalize for once,” Stone said. “And we got the saves.”

Hart’s moment resonates inside the room

The significance of Hart’s return didn’t end with the horn. He admitted the emotion of the night caught up during the anthem, when he looked around the arena and realized how long he’d waited for this chance.

“I’m just so happy to be playing again,” Hart said.

Teammates felt it too. Many had watched him put in extra work for weeks, rebuilding in silence while waiting for clearance.

“When a guy puts in that kind of work, you want to get him a win,” Stone said. “And he earned it.”

Hart steadied Vegas after an early breakdown, grew stronger each period and delivered his best sequence in overtime before closing the night with three shootout stops.

What’s next for the Golden Knights

Tuesday was the final home game until Dec. 20, as Vegas begins a six-game road trip through the East. The stretch includes matchups at New Jersey, the Rangers, the Islanders, Philadelphia and Columbus before a return meeting with the Devils at T-Mobile Arena.

Cassidy said the timing of the breakthrough could matter.

“We have seven of eight away from home,” he said. “If you want to be a good team, you have to bring your game on the road. Tonight gives us something to build off as we go into some tough buildings.”

Vegas opens the trip Friday at New Jersey, which enters the week at 16-9-1.

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