Golden Knights shut out Devils with 2-0 win

Adin Hill made 25 saves in the Vegas Golden Knights’ 2-0 victory against the New Jersey Devils at T-Mobile Arena on Sunday.

Noah Hanifin scored and had an assist. Mark Stone scored the game-winner, while Jack Eichel assisted on both goals for Vegas (36-18-6), which has won five of its last six.

“It’s always fun when both goalies are having a good game. I mean, I think every goalie in the league would prefer lower-scoring games,” Hill said. “We had a good full 60-minute performance tonight. We didn’t give up much defensively. … So it was a pretty tight game out there, good checking both ways.”

Golden Knights Special Teams Comes through

Special teams was the difference as both goals came while the Golden Knights had the man advantage.

Both goals were created by Hanifin, who shot the puck from roughly the same spot in both situations. The first goal came after Stone redirected Hanifin’s shot at 1:27 of the third period.

“We’re confident, comfortable,” Stone said. “Everybody feels comfortable in their position. …  It’s taking what’s given to you, right? These guys do a pretty good job at taking away the elbows. We did get a couple of shots there, but if you look at where they’re giving up goals, it’s shots in the top with the guys in front.”

The second came when Hanfin’s shot got through bodies and past Devils goalie Jacob Markstrom at 9:10.

“They were cheating on Jack a little bit, so take the shot from the top to stretch them out and it happened to find a way in, so good for him,” Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said. “It was the right time to put the puck to the net.”

The Golden Knights also killed off the one penalty they were assessed.

Hill Moves Up

Hill moved into second place in two categories: all-time shutouts (10) and wins (57). He trails Marc-Andre Fleury in both stats.

“He made some big saves. Maybe not the busiest game, but he was opportunistic for us,” Stone said. “He made some opportunistic saves. They had some chances in the second period where he smothered it, got it calmed down for us. … Those are important saves. But he’s been playing really well going into the break, coming out of the break. He’s been rock solid.”

It also marked a career-high in starts with 36.

“It’s really nice to be at a career-high. I’m just trying to keep stacking them,” Hill said.

Hanifin Finding Role

Since returning from the 4 Nations Face-off break, Hanifin has been playing exceptionally well. He has five points in the last three games (one goal, four assist) and is quarterbacking the top power-play unit while Shea Theodore is out with an injury.

“You always got to find ways to help the team. But I think for me, just getting those reps, getting those touches, it’s been good for me,” Hanifin siad. “Just got to keep building it, and obviously losing a guy like Theo is such a massive part of our team. Everybody else has to step up a little bit.”