VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — The Vegas Golden Knights wrapped up their regular season on a high note, defeating the Vancouver Canucks 4-1 on Wednesday night, April 16, 2025. This victory marked the third time in franchise history that the Golden Knights reached the 50-win milestone, finishing the season with a stellar 50-22-10 record and securing the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.
Pavel Dorofeyev was the star of the night, breaking a tie with his team-leading 35th goal at 7:59 of the third period. Just 2:46 later, Jack Eichel added another goal, marking his return to the lineup after missing four games with an upper-body injury. Eichel's goal was his 28th of the season, bringing his total points to an impressive 94, setting a franchise record for the most points in a single season.
The game started with Vancouver taking an early lead. Pius Suter scored for the Canucks just 8:23 into the first period, giving them a 1-0 advantage. However, the Golden Knights responded with persistence. Victor Olofsson tied the game at 1-1 with his 15th goal of the season at 18:33 of the second period, also contributing an assist on Dorofeyev's goal.
As the third period unfolded, Dorofeyev's shot from the faceoff circle sailed over the glove of Vancouver's goaltender Nikita Tolopilo, giving Vegas its first lead of the night. Cole Schwindt capped off the scoring with an empty-net goal, marking his first career NHL goal with just 1:32 left in the game. Defenseman Ben Hutton had a standout performance, recording two assists.
Golden Knights goaltender Akira Schmid, making his fifth appearance of the season, was solid between the pipes, stopping 16 of 17 shots for a .941 save percentage. His performance was key in helping the Golden Knights secure their place in the playoffs, where they will face the Minnesota Wild in the first round. The playoff series is set to begin on Sunday, April 20, 2025.
Despite the victory, the Golden Knights had several key players resting, including captain Mark Stone and goaltender Adin Hill. The team has shown remarkable depth this season, with players like Brayden McNabb, Dorofeyev, and Keegan Kolesar participating in all 82 games.
Vegas's season has been one for the record books, with the team setting a franchise record for most goals in a season at 274, surpassing their previous high by six goals. Additionally, they are the only team in NHL history to finish a season with fewer than 200 penalties, having been penalized just 197 times throughout the 2024-25 campaign.
The Canucks, on the other hand, finished their season with a record of 38-30-14, missing the playoffs for the eighth time in the last ten years. Vancouver's goaltending duo of Kevin Lankinen and Nikita Tolopilo faced a barrage of shots, with Lankinen stopping 19 of 20 shots in the first two periods before Tolopilo took over in the third.
As the Golden Knights look ahead to the playoffs, Eichel's return is a significant boost for the team. He capped off his season with a career-high 94 points and 66 assists, both franchise records. The Golden Knights will aim to carry their momentum into the postseason and make a deep playoff run, building on their successful regular season.
With the playoffs looming, the excitement is palpable among the players and fans alike. The Golden Knights have proven they can compete at the highest level, and now the real challenge begins as they prepare to face the Minnesota Wild.
As the NHL playoffs commence, all eyes will be on the Golden Knights and their quest for another championship. Will they be able to replicate their past successes and bring home another title? Only time will tell as the postseason unfolds.
