Golden Knights Vs Capitals: Dubois' two-goal burst lifts Washington to 3-2 win
Pierre-Luc Dubois scored twice early in the second period and added an assist as the Washington Capitals held off the Vegas Golden Knights for a 3-2 victory at Capital One Arena on Friday in the golden knights vs capitals matchup. The win extended Washington’s recent run — three straight and six of seven — and left Vegas searching for answers after a third-period push.
Dubois scores twice in 2: 34 after long injury absence
Dubois opened the scoring 49 seconds into the second period when Aliaksei Protas passed the puck back on the rush and Dubois’s snap shot from the top of the right circle deflected in off Akira Schmid’s right shoulder. At 3: 23 of the period Dubois struck again after Protas recovered a loose puck behind the net and fed him for a one-timer from the low slot; the two goals came in a 2: 34 span. Dubois also finished the night with an assist and now has three goals in three games since returning from a 47-game absence caused by surgery to address injuries to his abdominal and adductor muscles.
Chychrun’s one-timer extends lead; Sandin and Thompson contribute
Jakob Chychrun provided a third Capitals goal at 14: 52 of the second with a high one-timer from just below the right face-off dot, giving Washington a 3-0 cushion. Chychrun’s goal came in his 600th NHL game. Rasmus Sandin added two assists on the night, and starter Logan Thompson finished with 24 saves in the victory.
Bowman and Hertl spark late Vegas rally
Braeden Bowman pulled the Golden Knights to 3-1 at 2: 27 of the third period. Kaedan Korczak’s pass on the rush appeared to deflect off Washington’s Declan Chisholm, and Bowman reached the puck behind the defense and tucked it over Thompson’s left pad. Tomas Hertl cut the deficit to 3-2 at 9: 15 when he redirected Pavel Dorofeyev’s pass; the play took a deflection off defenseman Matt Roy’s skate and beat Thompson on the power play. Hertl’s goal was his 600th NHL point. Goaltender Akira Schmid made 27 saves for Vegas.
Player and coach reactions after the game
Aliaksei Protas, who had the primary assist on both Dubois goals, praised Dubois’s two-way game, calling him a player with a 200-foot game who is playing hard at both ends and is very smart. Dubois said he "felt good tonight" and credited Tom Wilson and Protas for making his life easier on the ice. Bowman admitted he wasn’t sure what the puck hit before it went in but that he found space and was able to bury the chance. Tomas Hertl said the team is strong in the third period but conceded they often struggle for 40 minutes before the late push.
Coach comments, records and milestones
Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy criticized his team’s preparation, saying the players "weren't ready to play" and that they "weren't nearly good enough. " Capitals goalie Logan Thompson highlighted Washington’s late-period strength, calling the opponent "probably the best third-period team in the League, " saying they weathered the storm and were happy to hold on, noting that every point matters right now. The Capitals improved to 31-23-7 with the win; the Golden Knights fell to 28-17-14. Additionally, Marner recorded an assist for Vegas that was his 800th career point.
