The Vegas Golden Knights secured a 5-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 14, 2023, at Nationwide Arena, despite losing goaltender Carter Hart to an injury early in the game. The Golden Knights, now standing at 19 wins, 11 losses, and 12 overtime losses, rallied from a 2-0 deficit, with Reilly Smith scoring twice and Mark Stone extending his scoring streak to six games.
Hart’s injury occurred just 8:24 into the first period when he was unable to put weight on his leg and had to be assisted off the ice. In relief, Akira Schmid, recently named to Team Switzerland’s roster for the upcoming Olympics, stopped 21 of 23 shots, achieving a save percentage of .913.
The Golden Knights initially struggled, conceding two quick goals to the Blue Jackets, with Kent Johnson putting Columbus on the board just 2:17 into the game. The situation worsened when Johnson scored again shortly after, leaving Vegas in an early two-goal hole.
Golden Knights Rally and Turn the Game Around
The momentum shifted dramatically for Vegas as they responded swiftly. Smith redirected a shot from Ben Hutton at 3:59 of the first period, narrowing the gap to 2-1. A series of aggressive plays kept the game competitive, even as a questionable high-sticking penalty against Keegan Kolesar could have shifted the tide.
In the second period, the Golden Knights took control, scoring three unanswered goals. Smith netted his second of the night at 5:19, bringing the score to 2-2. Just minutes later, Jack Eichel scored a goal that put Vegas ahead, following a clever setup by Ivan Barbashev. Stone then added another power-play goal at 18:44, extending the lead to 4-2.
Despite being down, the Blue Jackets fought back. Kirill Marchenko found the net, closing the gap to 4-3 with just 5:32 left in the third period. Nevertheless, the Golden Knights responded decisively. A well-timed assist from Kolesar allowed Brett Howden to score the final goal of the match, securing the 5-3 win at 16:14.
Impact of Hart’s Injury and Future Outlook
The implications of Hart’s injury are concerning for the Golden Knights, particularly as they prepare for their next match against the St. Louis Blues. Head Coach Bruce Cassidy did not provide an immediate update on Hart’s status but indicated that more information would be available soon.
Despite the injury setback, the Golden Knights showed resilience, marking their first consecutive wins since December 13, when they also faced the Blue Jackets. Stone’s remarkable performance continues to shine, as he has registered points in 23 out of 26 games this season, maintaining a scoring rate similar to that of Connor McDavid, who has points in 86 percent of games.
Moving forward, the Golden Knights will need to find a way to start games with the same urgency they exhibited in their comeback victories. The depth scoring from players like Smith and Howden will be crucial as they navigate the challenges of the season. Each victory is vital as the team seeks to solidify its position in a competitive league.
