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Adin Hill Comes Up Big as Golden Knights Snap Losing Streak Against Senators
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- Adin Hill Comes Up Big as Golden Knights Snap Losing Streak Against Senators
Adin Hill gave the Vegas Golden Knights the kind of performance they needed on Tuesday night, stepping into the starting role and helping the team get back in the win column with a 4-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators at T-Mobile Arena.
Hill made 25 saves in a solid outing after Carter Hart suffered an apparent injury during the morning skate. Hart was reportedly seen limping, raising concerns about a possible lower-body issue. With Hart unable to go, Vegas brought up goaltender Cameron Whitehead from Henderson to serve as Hill's backup.
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Ottawa had its chances throughout the night, yet Vegas got the saves it needed when the game was still close. That proved especially important in the third period, when the Senators were looking to build on an early power play strike.
The win also snapped a three-game skid for Vegas, which had been searching for a way to get things back on track.
Things started slowly for both teams before Braeden Bowman finally broke through late in the second period. He cleaned up a loose puck near the crease after Ivan Barbashev's attempt created an opportunity, giving the Golden Knights a 1-0 lead.
Ottawa fired right back. Shane Pinto tied the game just 34 seconds into the third period, taking advantage of a power play to beat Hill on a rush down the middle.
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That set the stage for Raphael Lavoie to become the hero of the game.
The forward, who was originally not expected to play, made the most of his unexpected opportunity, putting Vegas ahead at 8:01 of the third period by collecting the rebound of Ville Heinola's shot during a 3-on-2 rush. It was Lavoie's first NHL goal in his 27th career game, making the moment even sweeter.
Vegas protected the lead from there, with William Karlsson scoring into an empty net at the 18-minute mark. Jack Eichel added another empty-netter with seven seconds remaining to finish off the 4-1 win.
It wasn't a dominant performance from start to finish, but the Golden Knights got the job done. Hill delivered when called upon, Lavoie came through with a memorable first NHL goal, and Vegas finally had something positive to build on after a rough stretch.
