Golden Knights road trip win: McNabb lifts Vegas past Columbus

Columbus took a 2-1 lead early in the third period, but Vegas responded quickly. Ben Hutton tied the game at 5:52, then McNabb put the Golden Knights ahead for good at 6:47.

Carter Hart finished with 26 saves and improved to 3-0-1, while Mitch Marner posted three assists for his second three-point game of the season and was in on all three Vegas goals. He helped seal the win with a key late penalty kill after McNabb was assessed a double-minor for high-sticking with 2:59 remaining, including a 6-on-4 stretch after Columbus pulled its goalie.

Mark Stone had called the Golden Knights “built for these road trips” earlier this week, and Vegas backed it up Saturday to close the trip with nine of 10 points. “We’re built for these road trips … We don’t worry about matchups. We just come out and play,” Stone said.

Golden Knights chase early, trail 1-0 after 20

The Golden Knights went to the first intermission down 1-0 after Charlie Coyle scored at 7:02 of the opening period. Vegas spent much of the period chasing the puck, as Columbus held a 9-6 edge in shots and won 14 of 23 faceoffs.

Vegas could not cash in on its lone power play after Dmitri Voronkov was called for high-sticking Marner. However, the penalty kill answered earlier in the period following Brandon Saad’s slashing minor.

 Hart kept the deficit at 1-0 with a strong finish to the period. Cole Reinhardt led the Golden Knights with three shots on goal, providing one of the few steady offensive pushes before the break.

Dorofeyev’s quick strike ties it as VGK heads to third even

The Golden Knights pulled even 1-1 just 41 seconds into the second period when Pavel Dorofeyev scored on the power play, with Marner and Jack Eichel picking up the assists. Dorofeyev finished a quick setup after Marner drew a tripping call and Vegas won key offensive-zone faceoffs to open the advantage.

Hart held steady during a stretch where Columbus pushed the pace and controlled shot volume.

Columbus held a 20-14 edge in shots through 40 minutes and won 60 percent of the faceoffs. Still, Vegas kept the game level behind timely special teams play.

A Columbus goal later in the period was erased following a successful offside challenge, keeping the game tied heading into the third.

Vegas flips the third in under two minutes

Columbus took a 2-1 lead early in the third, but Vegas flipped the game in a rush. Hutton tied it at 5:52, then McNabb put the Golden Knights ahead for good at 6:47 to make it 3-2.

The finish turned frantic after McNabb was assessed a double-minor for high-sticking at 2:59 when Adam Fantilli was cut and blood was visible. Columbus pulled its goalie to create a late 6-on-4, but Vegas killed off the pressure to the horn behind Hart and a series of blocks and clears to seal the road trip win.

What’s next for the Golden Knights

Vegas continues its December slate Wednesday, Dec. 17, hosting the New Jersey Devils at 7 p.m. PT on TNT, truTV and HBO Max.

Then the Golden Knights go on the road to face the Calgary Flames on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 7 p.m. PT on ESPN+.

They wrap the stretch Sunday, Dec. 21, against the Oilers in Edmonton at 5 p.m. PT on ESPN+.

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