Whitecloud leads Vegas over Red Wings

In Las Vegas, the Golden Knights’ Zach Whitecloud struck for two goals, and in a 5-2 win over the visiting Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night.

“It was exciting to get back in,” Whitecloud said. “Obviously when you’re injured for an extended period of time or any time that you’re away from the boys or kind of the regular schedule, you start to miss out, obviously. Sitting up in the press box you just want to get playing as quick as possible. It’s exciting to be back, to be back contributing.”

The Knights improved 10-7-0.

Robin Lehner made 26 saves in the Vegas.

“We have one more game here on the homestand and we’ve got to take care of business, but so far it’s a testament to our group, system, coaches, everyone,” Lehner said. “We’re fighting through a lot of adversity. Really proud of the guys and the young guys that have jumped in.”

Givani Smith and Joe Veleno were the Detroit strikers in the loss.

“I thought honestly we made some mistakes, but we were better defensively at times,” Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill said. “We still obviously made some mistakes, and when we made them they ended up in our net.”

The Red Wings dropped to 8-9-2.

“Confidence goes both ways, offensively and defensively,” the Red Wings’ Sam Gagner said. “The only way to get it back is through work and making sure we’re detailed. We’re making errors as a team that’s trying to grow and forge an identity. We have to be better in those areas.”

Nicolas Hague, Paul Cotter and Reilly Smith had single markers for the Golden Knights.

“Really proud of them. It seems like every day we get something new thrown at us,” Golden Knights coach Peter DeBoer said. “They don’t let anything affect them. … They found their legs and their game and didn’t let what’s going on around them affect how they played. It was a real solid game.”