Theodore delivers OT win as Knights gain ground

*Photo from the San Diego Union Tribune*

   Win or go home is the mentality now, and they're not dead yet. Evgenii Dadonov scored, Shea Theodore scored the winning goal, and the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Washington Capitals with a 4-3 overtime win on Wednesday night in Las Vegas.

   It's the 3rd OT goal of the season for Theodore, who has set career highs in goals with 14, and points with 48 this season. The Golden Knights ended a two game skid with the loss, and are sitting two points back of a wild card spot, and 3 points back of the Los Angeles Kings for 3rd place in the Pacific Division.

   Theodore said of the game's importance that "At this point of the season we need to win, we need to win out I think to give ourselves a chance. Hopefully, that’s just a momentum boost on how we have to play in that third period going forward and give ourselves the best chance at making the postseason."

   The scoring started early in the first, with Evgeny Kuznetsov putting the Capitals ahead 1-0, knocking in his 24th goal of the season 6:18 into the game, assisted by Alex Ovechkin and Nick Jensen. At the 13:51 mark of the first period, Alec Martinez scored his second goal of the season, getting Vegas on the board and tying the game 1-1 after 20 minutes.

   Ovechkin scored the lone goal of the second period, making it 2-1 Capitals entering the 3rd. Early in the 3rd, Dadonov scored the game tying goal 2:05 into the period, his 20th goal of the season. 49 seconds later, Chandler Stephenson scored a power play goal to put Vegas ahead 3-2. Ovechkin tied it 3-3 with his second goal of the night, before Theodore scored on a dangle 2:09 into overtime.

   Martinez said of the key win that "Our back is against the wall. These are must-win hockey games. Obviously, to get a win tonight and get those two points is huge, but really proud of the way the guys handled everything. We had some adversity throughout the game. It was a little bit back and forth, but it feels good."

   Getting the start for Vegas was Robin Lehner, who allowed one goal and saved 12 shots, before he was pulled after one period as Pete Deboer tried to spark his team. Logan Thompson came on and saved 13 out of the 15 shots he faced in two periods and OT, posting a .867 save percentage, his record improving to 9-5-0 on the season.

   It was Ilya Samsonov who got the start for the Capitals, who continued his sputtering season. Samsonov stopped 26 of the 30 shots he faced from Vegas, posting an identical .867 save percentage. With the loss, his record drops to a 23-10-5 mark in 37 starts.

   With his two goals and one assist, Ovechkin continued to make history for Washington. His second goal of the game was his 50th of the season, marking the 9th time he has had at least 50 goals in a season. He ties Mike Bossy and Wayne Gretzky for the most 50 goal seasons in NHL history, and is the oldest NHL player to ever do it.

   Martinez said of Ovechkin's history making goal that "He's one of the most incredible talents of all time. He's a generational player. What he's done on the ice is incredible. A guy like that really grows the game and gets people involved. People want to watch him play. It's an honor to play against him."

   The Capitals get back in action on Friday night, with Vitek Vanecek likely to start as they take on the Arizona Coyotes. Lehner is expected to start when the Golden Knights host the San Jose Sharks on Sunday night.