Story by Alan Snel Photos by Hugh Byrne
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — On the Vegas Golden Knights’ 13th shot on goal against Seattle late in the second period, Shea Theodore scored his tenth goal of the season to tie the game at one apiece.
A tie would be all Vegas needed to win the Pacific Division.
But the VGK salted away the division title with a Mitch Marner goal and then two tallies by Original Misfit Reilly Smith in the third period for the VGK 4-1 win over Seattle.
It was the VGK’s fifth division title in their nine years in the NHL.
Vegas General Manager Kelly McCrimmon replaced former coach Bruce Cassidy with John Tortorella only 2 1/2 weeks ago and Torts has led VGK to a 7-0-1 record, drawing 15 of the possible 16 points in the Knights’ final eight games to clinch the division.
Just the facts: Vegas Golden Knights 4 Seattle Kraken 1
VGK goal scorers: Shea Theodore (10) Mitch Marner (24) Reilly Smith (15 and 16)
Vegas record: 39-26-17, clinched Pacific Division with 95 points
Attendance: 18,090
Torts’ Quotes: Postgame, Tortorella on playoffs: “Everything will be amped up.” Any comment on Utah: “No.” On key points, “Playing fast and up the ice. It’s a mindset.”
Vegas will play Utah in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. VGK have made the postseason in eight of their nine seasons in the league.
Look for Tortorella to start Carter Hart in goal in the playoffs with Adin Hill in the backup role.
PSA