3 Takeaways: Golden Knights Blow 3-2 Lead After Hertl Bypasses Empty Net Goal

<i>Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) controls the puck as Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) defends during the third period of an NHL game at KeyBank Center on March 15, 2025. <b>Photo Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images</b></i>

The Golden Knights squandered the 3-2 lead they got with a little more than two minutes left in the game, and then lost to the Buffalo Sabres, 4-3, in a shootout on Saturday afternoon.

With the heated game tied at 2-all, former Sabre Jack Eichel shoveled a loose puck in the crease past Buffalo netminder Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to give the Golden Knights a 3-2 lead at the 17:27 mark of the third period.

DO THIS AGAIN PLEASE JACK pic.twitter.com/4IIuHMPsqa
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) March 15, 2025

With Luukkonen pulled, Tomas Hertl raced in toward the empty net but rather than ice the game and give the Knights a two-goal lead, he tried dropping the puck off to get Eichel a second goal. The unexpected forced pass missed Eichel, and moments later Buffalo captain Rasmus Dahlin sent a rocket past Vegas goalie Adin Hill to tie the game with 14 seconds remaining and force overtime.

Tomas Hertl tried to make this pass at the end of the game when the Sabres net was empty. The Sabres came back and won in a shootout🔥😳

pic.twitter.com/oZqDV0ff6b
— Everything Hockey (@EHClothing) March 15, 2025

"I'm still trying to digest what just happened to be honest with you," Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said.

Victor Olofsson gave the Knights a 1-0 lead in the shootout, but Jack Quinn made it 1-1 in the second round, which saw Eichel miss his attempt.

Former Knight Alex Tuch beat Hill in the third round while Luukkonen stuffed Pavel Dorofeyev to secure the improbable win.

Brett Howden and Pavel Dorofeyev also scored for Vegas while Hill made 34 saves. Howden's hard hit that dropped Jiri Kulich got tempers flaring in the second period.

"We weren't very good most of the day," Cassidy added. "We checked pretty well at the start of the third I thought, for a game we weren't that engaged in playing a puck possession game, a hard game. You allow Buffalo's defense to get going, that's where you gotta wear them down. And we didn't do a lot of that. I mean, we're ahead late, so we did some things right."

Here are three takeaways from Saturday's loss:

BE SELFISH: Clearly, Hertl was trying to get Eichel his second goal during what's been a record-breaking season, not to mention get a bit more satisfaction against his former team in a game the boo birds emerged just as they have since he landed in Vegas 3 1/2 years ago. Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy didn't mince words over how he felt about the play.

"I'd like to see him shoot the puck in the net and end the game, that's what I'd like to see, I think the whole team would like to see that," Cassidy said.

QUIT TRIPPIN': Three games into the four-game road trip, the Golden Knights were whistled for tripping, a play Cassidy said must stop. In their 3-2 overtime loss in Pittsburgh, Nic Roy was called for tripping Evgeni Malkin, during the 4-0 win in Columbus it was Ivan Barbashev getting sent to the box after tripping Dante Fabbro, and in Buffalo it was Pavel Dorofeyev's tripping penalty against Connor Clifton that allowed the Sabres' Jason Zucker to score his 19th of the season, and tie the game 2-all.

"It just felt like, again, the penalties we took," Cassidy said. "We're not under pressure, a delay a game, an offensive zone penalty again three games in a row over the same play and a stick foul. They're going to happen periodically, but I mean they're going to cost you, and they have. They have in this trip."

UP NEXT: The Golden Knights will have to do their best to put the nightmarish loss behind them, as they head to Detroit for the second leg of a back-to-back on Sunday. After Saturday's loss, Vegas is 4-4-1 in game one and 5-3-0 in game two of back-to-back games this season.

They'll face a Red Wings team that is in a battle for a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. As of the end of Vegas' game in Buffalo, the Wings were in fifth place in the wild-card standings with 68 points, two points back of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have the second spot. The Ottawa Senators currently hold the first wild-card position with 75 points. Detroit is 11 points behind the third-place Tampa Bay Lightning in the Atlantic Division.

"Obviously (Hertl) probably wants it back, I think our game overall was not good enough," Golden Knights wing Victor Olofsson said. "I think we should have just played a better game for 60 minutes. Just don't worry about it, what happened happens. You just have to put that behind you and move forward we're looking forward to our game tomorrow."

🎥 Olofsson: I don't think we came up to our standard today. pic.twitter.com/tNnmzVq1tW
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) March 15, 2025

Topics

3 Takeaways From Penguins Shutout Loss To Golden Knights

The Pittsburgh Penguins (24-31-10) were active leading up to the NHL Trade Deadline. However, their roster adjustments did not help them score a goal against the Vegas Golden Knights. The Penguins ...
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 8
Tuch and Dahlin help the Sabres beat the Golden Knights 4-3 in a shootout

Alex Tuch scored the deciding goal in the shootout to lead the Buffalo Sabres to a 4-3 win against the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday. Rasmus Dahlin, Ryan McLeod, and Jason Zucker scored in ...
Yahoo Sports - 5h
Adin Hill makes 27 saves and Vegas Golden Knights beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-0

Adin Hill made 27 saves, Nicolas Roy and Brandon Saad had a goal and an assist each as the Vegas Golden Knights beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-0 on Thursday night. Pavel Dorofeyev scored and ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
3 Nets takeaways from 116-110 loss at Bulls

Here are three Brooklyn Nets takeaways from Thursday's 116-110 loss at the Chicago Bulls.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Nets blow another double-digit lead, fall to Bulls 116-110

Coby White scored 31 points, and the Chicago Bulls beat the Brooklyn Nets 116-110 on Thursday night.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Hilary Knight has a goal and 2 assists to help the Fleet beat the Charge, 5-2

Boston captain Hilary Knight had a goal and two assists to help the Fleet beat the Ottawa Charge 5-2 on Saturday in the Professional Women’s Hockey League. After assisting Alina Muller's opening ...
Yahoo Sports - 4h
Nets blow another late lead and fall in Chicago, 116-110

The Nets fell to the Chicago Bulls, 116-110, on Thursday at the United Center in Chicago. Brooklyn, which fell to 22-44 with the loss, is now six games behind Chicago for 10th place in the Eastern ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Chelsea back ahead after Hasegawa own goal

Mayra Ramirez's low cross bobbles up and Yui Hasegawa unfortunately flicks it into the far corner of her own net to give Chelsea the lead against Manchester City in the Women's League Cup final.
BBC News - 11h
Eeli Tolvanen scores early, and again late, to lead Kraken to a 4-2 win over Utah

Eeli Tolvanen scored two goals, the first just 51 seconds into the game and the second into an empty net with 1:09 left, and the Seattle Kraken beat the Utah Hockey Club 4-2 on Friday night. ...
Yahoo Sports - 20h
Eeli Tolvanen scores early, and again late, to lead Kraken to a 4-2 win over Utah

Eeli Tolvanen scored two goals, the first just 51 seconds into the game and the second into an empty net with 1:09 left, and the Seattle Kraken beat the Utah Hockey Club 4-2
ABC News - 19h
Sabres' Ryan McLeod Accomplishes Rare Stat In Big Performance

The Buffalo Sabres picked up an impressive 4-3 shootout win over the Vegas Golden Knights on March 15. The Sabres made the Golden Knights surrender 2-0 and 3-2 leads before winning this matchup, so ...
Yahoo Sports - 4h
Hill trips up Columbus Blue Jackets: 4 takeaways from loss to Vegas Golden Knights

Adin Hill's 27 saves in Vegas shutout puts Blue Jackets in a precarious spot with 17 games remaining.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
West Virginia hangs on to beat UCF 72-65 after almost blowing 25-point second-half lead

Javon Small scored 25 points, freshman Jonathan Powell scored 12 of his 15 in the second half and West Virginia held off UCF 72-65 on Saturday after nearly blowing a 25-point lead in the final 20 ...
ABC News - Mar. 8
Eric Robinson Sets New Career High In Goals

Carolina Hurricanes forward Eric Robinson set a new career high Friday night, netting the empty-netter in the Carolina Hurricanes' 4-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings.Robinson, 29, scored his 13th ...
Yahoo Sports - 11h
Erik Karlsson's power-play goal carries Penguins past Devils, 7-3

Erik Karlsson scored a power-play goal and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the New Jersey Devils 7-3 on Saturday. Rickard Rakell scored his team-leading 31st goal. Connor Dewar scored twice, and ...
Yahoo Sports - 3h
Golden Knights sign G Hill to 6-year, $37.5M deal

The Golden Knights have signed goaltender Adin Hill to a six-year contract extension through the 2030-31 season, a deal that averages $6.25 million per year.
ESPN - 1d
Vegas Golden Knights sign goalie Adin Hill to a 6-year, $37.5 million contract extension

This season at age 28, Adin Hill has played in a career high 53 games and has a 2.53 goals-against average and .906 save percentage to help Vegas vault to the top of the Pacific Division.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Golden Knights Reportedly Named One Of The Four Teams Mikko Rantanen Was Willing To Sign An Extension With

David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period revealed the four teams Mikko Rantanen was willing to sign an extension with and named the Vegas Golden Knights as one of those teams.
Yahoo Sports - 3d
Takeaways from the Ducks 2-1 Win over the Predators

The Anaheim Ducks returned home on Friday night to host the Nashville Predators after a home and road back-to-back set against the Washington Capitals and Utah Hockey Club where they came up empty ...
Yahoo Sports - 19h
3 biggest takeaways for Sixers following latest home loss to Pacers

Here are the three biggest takeaways for the Philadelphia 76ers following their latest home loss to the Indiana Pacers on Friday.
Yahoo Sports - 15h
Montour nets NHL's fastest OT goal at 4 seconds

Brandon Mountour's goal just four seconds into overtime set an NHL record for fastest OT goal, lifting the Kraken past the Canadiens 5-4.
ESPN - 2d
The 3-pointer: Takeaways from No. 5 Alabama's win over No. 15 Kentucky

After picking up a home and road win over Kentucky, the Crimson Tide crushed past the Wildcats inside Bridgestone Arena to advance to the semifinals of the SEC Tournament. The Tide’s offense got ...
Yahoo Sports - 21h
The 3-pointer: Takeaways from No. 5 Alabama's loss to No. 4 Florida

Alabama was unable to keep up its first-half momentum in a 104-82 loss to No. 4 Florida is on Saturday. The wheels came off for the Crimson Tide in the second half after a strong opening 20 ...
Yahoo Sports - 3h
Can The Sabres Right The Ship Against Vegas?

Buffalo Sabres vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Yahoo Sports - 10h
Collin Graf scores twice to help the Sharks beat the Blackhawks, 4-2

Undrafted rookie Collin Graf scored twice, Will Smith had a goal and an assist and the San Jose Sharks beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-2 on Thursday night. Alexandar Georgiev made 24 saves for San ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Hurricanes win 6th straight game by defeating Red Wings 4-2

Jack Roslovic had a goal and an assist and the Carolina Hurricanes won their sixth game in a row, 4-2 over the Detroit Red Wings 4-2 on Friday night. Taylor Hall and Jalen Chatfield also scored ...
Yahoo Sports - 22h
Nets leading scorer Cam Thomas is expected to miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury

Cam Thomas, the Brooklyn Nets' leading scorer, is expected to miss the rest of the season with a strained left hamstring. The Nets said Saturday that Thomas was injured during their loss at ...
Yahoo Sports - 6h
Bueckers leads No. 3 UConn to Big East title game with 82-54 win over Villanova

Paige Bueckers scored 21 of her 23 points in the first half and No. 3 UConn held Villanova without a field goal for more than 16 minutes to beat the Wildcats 82-54 on Sunday, advancing to the Big ...
Yahoo Sports - 6d
'Mixed feelings' for Cifuentes after Leeds draw

Hoops boss Marti Cifuentes reacts after seeing his side surrender a two-goal lead against the Championship leaders
Yahoo Sports - 7h
USMNT's Haji Wright nets 1st hat trick in England

A 26-year-old from Los Angeles, Wright scored in the 21st minute, then converted a penalty kick in the 29th after he was fouled by Chris Mepham. Wright scored in the 73rd for his 10th goal in 19 ...
ESPN - 3h
Norfolk State women beat Howard in MEAC Championship for 3rd straight trip to the NCAA Tournament

Johnson shot 3 of 4 in the third quarter and made a 3-pointer along with Anjanae Richardson during a 12-2 run to give Norfolk State a 43-32 lead. Wheeler scored seven of the Spartans' 12 points to ...
Yahoo Sports - 2h
Willis leads Tulsa against Wichita State after 22-point performance

Tulsa Golden Hurricane (11-19, 5-12 AAC) at Wichita State Shockers (18-12, 8-9 AAC) Wichita, Kansas; Sunday, 2 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Tulsa faces Wichita State after Keaston Willis scored 22 ...
ABC News - Mar. 8
Gladbach up to sixth after away win

Romano Schmid nets for Bremen in the 38th minute, simply glorious free-kick sailing past Jonas Omlin. And just a minute later, Felix Agu should have scored, open goal after a ball across the box ...
Yahoo Sports - 9h
Nikki Glaser to return as host of Golden Globes in 2026

After a well-reviewed emcee debut, the Golden Globes are bringing back Nikki Glaser to host the 2026 ceremony
ABC News - 2d
Ovechkin scores No. 886, 9 shy of setting mark

Alex Ovechkin scored his 886th career goal into an empty net to seal the Washington Capitals' 4-2 victory over the Seattle Kraken on Sunday, moving nine back of breaking Wayne Gretzky's NHL record ...
ESPN - 5d
Nets’ Cam Thomas expected to miss rest of season with hamstring strain

The Nets will be without leading-scorer Cam Thomas for the rest of the season due to a hamstring injury he suffered on Thursday against the Bulls.
Yahoo Sports - 6h
Brett Howden's Hard Hit On Jiri Kulich Draws Different Reactions From Opposing Media Members

Jack Eichel may no longer be the most hated Golden Knight in Buffalo.
Yahoo Sports - 7h
Emptying the Notebook: Lobos defense on point in quarterfinal win, but fast break game stalls

Mar. 14—EDITOR'S NOTE — This is a somewhat abbreviated, tournament edition of ETN, which usually runs only after regular season games. LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Here are some extra notes, quotes, stats, ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Rio Takeda takes a 2-shot lead into the final round of the LPGA tournament in China

Rio Takeda of Japan shot a 3-under 69 to hold a two-shot lead after three rounds of the LPGA’s Blue Bay tournament on China’s southern island of Hainan
ABC News - Mar. 8