Ducks braised in Vegas, 7-2 Vegas score five in third

On The Strip, the Anaheim Ducks kept it close for two periods, then the third period happened. In the final stanza on Sunday, the Golden Knights scored five goals in a 7-2 rout of the Ducks.

“The puck just went in (the third period),” Golden Knights forward William Carrier said. “We had a couple of good looks there. Even the power play hit the post and stuff. Couple of guys were due to score. We just came off the jump with the energy in the building. We wanted to make sure we came out and played well. Since the beginning of the year, it’s been on and off here at home (15-13-0).”

Vegas improved to 31-18-4 with their third straight win.

Adin Hill made 23 saves in the victory.

“[Defense] is doing a good job. They’re blocking some shots,” Hill said. “We have arguably, I would say, the best D core in the League, so it’s nice to see them. Everyone is healthy and back. They’re playing well.”

Vegas scored in the first period on a marker from Paul Cotter for a 1-0 lead.

Brett Howden extended the advantage to 2-0 in the middle frame.

“You come out of the break, you’re refreshed and that mental weight is gone. It’s kind of like you’re starting over,” Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said. “The guys are feeling it right now.”

ANaheim trimmed the lead to 2-1 on a goal from Frank Vatrano.

The third period was ugly for Anaheim as the Golden Knights scored three straight to take a 5-1 lead.

Shea Theodore, Phil Kessel, and Jack Eichel were the strikers.Eichel

Anaheim dropped to 17-31-6.

The Ducks’ Isac Lundestrom  scored at 13:34 to break the Vegas run and make the count, 5-2.

“Not good,” Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said. “Vegas got a couple of hardworking, good bounce goals. Then we fell apart, trying to do somebody else’s job. Everybody else’s job in our zone.”

The Knights replied 49 seconds later on a goal from Michael Amadio for a 6-2 lead.

“We’ve seen some good balance recently. Tonight, after we made 4-1, every line scored,” Cassidy said. “Every line is on the sheet, and that’s a coach’s dream. When they all produce, they all feel good about their game.”

Carrier added salt to the wound at 15:42 for the 7-2 final.

John Gibson made 32 saves in the Ducks loss.