In Las Vegas, Marc-Andre Fleury made 27 saves to backstop the Golden Knights to a a 4-1 win over the visiting Arizona Coyotes on Saturday night.
Fleury is now tied for sixth in all time wins n the NHL.
“Like I’ve said before, it’s humbling to be among these guys,” Fleury said. “CuJo is a guy I grew up watching; his feistiness and his battle in the game. I’ve been fortunate myself to play with good teams and good players.”
Michael Grabner scored the lone goal for the Coyotes.
“We didn’t have our legs,” Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet said. “Vegas looked stronger, faster. They were the better team, and it showed.”
Mark Stone struck twice for the Knights.
“We [Stone and I] feel like leaders on the team,” Vegas’ Max Pacioretty said. “Whether it’s on the ice or off the ice, there are opportunities to get the team going, and I think [Stone] was really buzzing from the start. The game’s always a lot easier when you contribute offensively early on.”
Chandler Stephenson and Paul Stastny added single markers for the Knights.
The Coyotes were scoreless in five power play chances while the Golden Knights scored twice in three opportunities.
“A little disappointed,” Tocchet said. “We just didn’t generate much. We were passing too much and that gave them some juice. They were the better team.”
[WATCH: All Coyotes vs. Golden Knights highlights]
Antti Raanta got the start for Arizona but was given the hook in the middle frame. He yielded all four goals to the Knights and made 12 saves.
“I think it was just compete level,” Oliver Ekman-Larsson said. “I think they competed a little bit harder than us. They looked like a really good team, and us, not so much.”
Adin Hill made 20 saves in a mop up role.
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