Golden Knights Beat Utah 4-2 in Game 1

Nic Dowd redirected a shot from Noah Hanifin to score the go-ahead goal early in the third period, leading the Vegas Golden Knights to a 4-2 victory over the Utah Hockey Club in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The Golden Knights, who trailed twice during the game, rallied with three third-period goals to secure the win and take a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday night in Las Vegas. Dowd's tip-in at 7:20 of the final frame came after Utah defenseman MacKenzie Weegar turned over the puck in his own zone, allowing Hanifin to fire from the point. Dowd, who finished with the game-winner, credited the quick play for its success. "I didn't do a lot, to be honest," Dowd said. "It's probably better if it gets on and off my stick that quick. I just found a little bit of space."

Utah struck first with 11 seconds left in the opening period when Logan Cooley one-timed a cross-ice pass from former Golden Knight Nate Schmidt for a 1-0 lead. Vegas responded in the second period, tying the score at 3:44 when Colton Sissons jammed in a backhand pass from Cole Smith. Utah quickly regained the advantage less than two minutes...