The Vegas Golden Knights showcased an emphatic performance on March 22, 2025, as center Tomáš Hertl scored his second hat trick of the season, leading his team to a comfortable 5-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The game opened with an unexpected start for the Golden Knights after Detroit struck first. Lucas Raymond capitalized on a power play by scoring a goal, deflected off the stick of Alex Pietrangelo. This was not the start coach Bruce Cassidy was hoping for, especially considering the Knights were looking to avenge a recent 3-0 loss to the same Red Wings.
However, the Golden Knights quickly regained composure. Hertl tied the game by converting on a power play, thanks to a centering pass from Mark Stone and a secondary assist from Jack Eichel, marking his 13th power play goal of the season. Eichel's assist also marked a career-high 83 points for him this season. Following Hertl's goal, he scored again by redirecting a shot from defenseman Brayden McNabb, giving Vegas a 2-1 lead.
The first period concluded with a thrilling moment as Nicolas Roy fired a shot into the back of the net with just two seconds on the clock, restoring the Golden Knights' lead to 3-1.
As the second period unfolded, it began with the tension rising again when the Red Wings cut into the lead, with Patrick Kane scoring on the power play following a roughing call on Brett Howden, making it a mere 3-2. But the Golden Knights retaliated almost immediately. After a high-sticking penalty on Moritz Seider, they capitalized on the power play again. Hertl completed his hat trick with a slick move, placing the puck in the net on the same set play, extending the Golden Knights’ lead to 5-2.
Throughout the game, the Knights dominated the shots on goal, leading with a count of 24 to 21. Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, and Hertl each tallied three points during the game, showcasing the offensive depth of the Golden Knights. In total, Hertl's performance was awaited with excitement after he scored a hat trick in a previous game against the Los Angeles Kings, although end result had been a heartbreaking 6-5 loss.
Yet, this night belonged to Hertl, whose back-to-back hat tricks underline his incredible scoring form. Pavel Dorofeyev also demonstrated his scoring touch this week, scoring two goals in the previous game against the Boston Bruins, where he too netted a hat trick. The Golden Knights are thriving at the top of the Pacific Division, sitting comfortably with a three-point lead over the Edmonton Oilers.
The game not only sees a comeback for the Golden Knights but also highlights the precarious position of the Red Wings. They now find themselves four points outside the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, struggling to maintain their momentum following a recent setback against the Washington Capitals where they lost 4-1. Despite this loss, they initially celebrated a strong shutout win against the Knights, and will need to rediscover that form to continue their playoff pursuit.
As the weekend approaches, all eyes are on the Golden Knights, who appear to be firing on all cylinders. With players like Hertl and Eichel driving the offense and Adin Hill, who recorded four shutouts this season, patrolling the goal, the competitiveness of their roster is highlighted as they push forward into the playoffs. The playoffs are looming large, and both teams need to shift gears as they enter the final stretch of the season.
Fans celebrated Hertl’s hat trick with an outpouring of hats thrown onto the ice by ecstatic fans at T-Mobile Arena, a tradition inherent to the sport, as the scene encapsulated love and passion that surrounds the game of hockey.
As the season plays out, the focus now shifts to finding out how the Red Wings plan to respond as they continue their road trip while rallying to reclaim their footing in the playoff race. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights, bolstered by their offensive displays, aim to maintain their dominance as they solidify their spot as top contenders in the Pacific Division.
