KLAS

Knights continue early season struggles with 5-3 loss to streaking Oilers

Edmonton Oilers right wing Zack Kassian (44) scores past Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner (90) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Oct. 22, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Zack Kassian scored a tiebreaking goal in the third period and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Vegas Golden Knights 5-3 on Friday night.

Edmonton stretched its season-opening win streak to five games. Vegas (1-3-0) lost its third straight.

Zach Hyman scored twice and Leon Draisaitl added a goal for the Oilers. Mikko Koskinen made 36 saves.

Nic Roy, Nolan Patrick, and Nic Hague scored for the Golden Knights. Robin Lehner made 28 saves.

Shortly after Vegas tied the game early in the third period, Kassian answered by taking advantage of a turnover in the neutral zone. He froze Lehner in the crease and slipped the puck through the goalie’s pads to put Edmonton ahead to stay.

Edmonton, which was playing the second of back-to-back games and for the third time in four nights, has outscored its opponents, 24-13. The Oilers’ plus-11 goal differential is tied with Florida for best in the league.

Meanwhile, the Golden Knights were 0 for 3 on the power play and are 0 for 9 this season. Vegas is in an 0-for-26 drought with a man advantage, dating to June 6, which was Game 4 of the second round of last year’s playoffs.

Vegas, missing top-line forwards Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty, struck first when Roy got his stick on defenseman Zach Whitecloud’s shot from the point, redirecting it past Koskinen.