The Vegas Golden Knights gave their fans plenty to cheer about on Saturday night, delivering a 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues at T-Mobile Arena—a win that not only avenged a tough loss from a week earlier but also showcased the resilience and depth of a team determined to stay among the NHL’s elite.
Coming into the matchup, the Golden Knights were riding a wave of cautious optimism. Sure, they’d been stung by the Blues just seven days prior, when St. Louis pulled off a 4-3 upset with three unanswered goals and a dramatic late winner from Brayden Schenn. That defeat had cast a shadow over Vegas, prompting fans and pundits alike to question whether January would once again prove to be a stumbling block for the defending Stanley Cup champions. But as Saturday’s rematch unfolded, Vegas answered those doubts with grit, skill, and a touch of history.
The night belonged to Mitch Marner, who marked his 700th career NHL game by scoring a goal and adding an assist. Marner’s impact was immediate and crucial. After the Blues’ Robert Thomas opened the scoring just 53 seconds into the first period, Marner responded at 7:34, burying his own rebound to tie things up and steady the ship for Vegas. It’s not every night you see a player reach such a milestone and make it count on the score sheet, but Marner—acquired in a blockbuster sign-and-trade with Toronto on July 1—has wasted no time ingratiating himself with his new teammates and fans.
“He’s been everything we hoped for,” Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy said before the game. “His work ethic, his vision, and his ability to rise to the occasion—those are the qualities that make a difference in tight games.”
The Golden Knights didn’t stop there. In the second period, Jack Eichel and Shea Theodore each found the back of the net, turning a 1-1 deadlock into a 3-1 advantage. For Eichel, it was a particularly satisfying moment. Despite racking up 18 power play assists this season, he’d been searching for his first goal on the man advantage. Against a Blues penalty kill ranked 28th in the NHL (just 76.3%), Eichel finally got his reward, capitalizing on one of the best power play units in the league (Vegas sits tied for fourth at 25.6%).
Shea Theodore’s contribution was equally significant. After missing 11 games with an upper-body injury, Theodore’s return bolstered the blue line and gave Vegas a much-needed lift. His goal in the second period was a testament to his offensive instincts and his knack for joining the rush at just the right moment. “Getting back out there with the guys felt great,” Theodore said postgame. “I’ve been itching to contribute, and tonight was a good step.”
On the other side of the ice, the Blues struggled to find their rhythm. Robert Thomas, who finished with a goal and an assist, tried to spark St. Louis, while Jake Neighbours chipped in with a power play goal. But the Blues’ efforts were hampered by an early setback: defenseman Philip Broberg, who had signed a six-year, $48 million contract extension just hours before puck drop, suffered an upper-body injury just 1:35 into the game after absorbing a heavy check from Mark Stone. Broberg did not return, leaving the Blues shorthanded on the back end.
Goaltending was another key storyline. Akira Schmid, pressed into service with Carter Hart and Adin Hill sidelined by injuries, delivered a steady performance for Vegas, stopping 17 shots. On the other end, Jordan Binnington made 21 saves, but couldn’t hold off the Knights’ relentless attack—especially in the second period, when Vegas seized control.
And then, as the game wound down, Mark Stone provided the exclamation point. With just 2:24 remaining, Stone scored an empty-netter to seal the win and, in doing so, tied the Golden Knights’ club record with a goal in his seventh consecutive game—a mark previously set by Max Pacioretty in 2021. Stone’s scoring streak has been one of the stories of the season, and his consistency has anchored a Vegas offense that’s had to adapt to injuries and lineup changes.
“I just try to go out there and play my game every night,” Stone said. “Records are nice, but the most important thing is getting the win and keeping the team moving forward.”
The victory was Vegas’s third straight, and what’s even more impressive is that all three wins came after the opposition scored first. In fact, the Golden Knights have now improved to 9-8-7 in games when their opponent opens the scoring—an encouraging sign for a team that prides itself on resilience. Keegan Kolesar, one of the franchise’s original players, also celebrated a milestone by appearing in his 400th career game, further highlighting the blend of experience and fresh talent that defines this Vegas squad.
Special teams played a central role in the game’s narrative. The Blues, who rank 23rd in the NHL in penalty minutes (345 entering Saturday), didn’t give Vegas many opportunities, but the Knights made the most of their chances. The ongoing renaissance of winger Reilly Smith—who has three goals in his last two games and a history of success against the Blues, including a hat trick in 2021—added another layer of intrigue to the contest, even though he didn’t score this time out.
The win keeps Vegas firmly in fourth place in the Western Conference with 50 points, while the Blues remain in 13th with 42 points. The Golden Knights’ injury list remains a concern, with Carter Hart, Adin Hill, William Karlsson, and Brayden McNabb all sidelined, but the return of Theodore and the steady play of Schmid offer hope that reinforcements are on the way.
For St. Louis, the loss extends a tough stretch—this was their third consecutive defeat—and the early exit of Broberg only adds to their woes. Still, with Robert Thomas and Jake Neighbours continuing to produce, the Blues have pieces in place to regroup as the season grinds on.
As the final horn sounded at T-Mobile Arena, the Golden Knights celebrated not just a hard-fought win, but a statement of intent. With key players returning, a power play that’s firing on all cylinders, and a captain in Mark Stone setting the pace, Vegas looks poised to keep climbing. The road ahead won’t be easy—injuries and a competitive Western Conference guarantee that—but for now, the Knights have every reason to believe that this January might just be different.
