03/31/26 12:57:00
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03/31 00:55 CDT Golden Knights open Tortorella era with 4-2 win over Canucks
Golden Knights open Tortorella era with 4-2 win over Canucks
By W.G. RAMIREZ
Associated Press
LAS VEGAS (AP) --- Adin Hill made 22 stops and the Vegas Golden Knights opened
the John Tortorella era with a 4-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Monday
night.
One day after the Golden Knights fired coach Bruce Cassidy, who led the team to
a Stanley Cup title in 2023, they treated Tortorella to a comeback victory.
Rasmus Andersson, Shea Theodore, Reilly Smith and Cole Smith scored for Vegas.
Evander Kane and Brock Boeser scored for the Canucks, while Kevin Lankinen made
29 saves.
Tortorella, who coached Tampa Bay to the 2004 Stanley Cup title, met with the
players earlier in the day, as general manager Kelly McCrimmon is hoping the
67-year-old veteran coach can reignite a locker room just three years removed
from a championship season.
The team found its spark in the second period, when Andersson tied the game
midway through to overcome its first one-goal deficit, and then again when
Theodore made it 2-all five minutes after Boeser's goal.
Reilly Smith scored the game-winner near the end of the second, and Cole
Smith's empty-netter provided the final margin.
The Golden Knights brought a three-game skid into Monday and opened their final
eight-game stretch with a much-needed win. Vegas, which had lost six of its
past seven games, is in third place in the Pacific Division just one point
behind the Edmonton Oilers.
The Golden Knights remain in playoff position despite the recent play that saw
them enter having lost 12 of their past 17 since the Olympic break.
Tortorella has been signed for the remainder of this season and the playoffs.
Up next
Canucks: Visit the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday.
Golden Knights: Host the Calgary Flames on Thursday.
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This story has been corrected to show that Smith scored the game-winner near
the end of the second period, and Tortorella coached Tampa Bay to the 2004
Stanley Cup title.
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL
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