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Shop at Jay’s Market at 190 East Flamingo Road at the Koval Lane intersection east of the Strip.
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Story by Alan Snel Photos by Hugh Byrne
On the day after Thanksgiving, the Vegas Golden Knights Friday took their best crack at the NHL’s top team, record-wise.
The Winnipeg Jets skated into the Big Ice House by the Strip, though their superb goalie, Connor Hellebuyck and 15-3 record, rested on the bench in favor of backup netminder Eric Comrie.
The Knights rode a highlight-reel goal by left-winger Brett Howden in period 1 and a goal by winger Ivan Barbashev from his knees with only 15.3 second left in the opening stanza to snag a 4-3 win against a very good Jets squad.
Just the facts: Vegas Golden Knights 4 Winnipeg Jets 3
Golden Knights goal scorers: Howden, his ninth in the first and tenth in the third; Barbashev, his 11th in the first and 12th in the third;
Story line: After lengthy five-game, two-nation road trip, Vegas played a strong all-around game to secure a win against the team with the best record in the NHL.
Jet’s big gun: Cole Perfetti scored both of Winnipeg’s two goals in the first two periods.
Key third period: Barbashev and Howden strike again for two goals in final period for winning edge.
Attendance: 18,044
VGK record: 15-6-3 for 33 points, first place in the Pacific Division
Coach Bruce Cassidy on the VGK’s improved power play this season: Knights players understand their roles, plus strong puck retrieval.