Karlsson scores late, Golden Knights defeat Stars in shootout

LAS VEGAS – William Karlsson scored the tying goal with 2:59 remaining in the third period, and the Vegas Golden Knights rallied for their fourth straight win, 3-2 in a shootout against the Dallas Stars at T-Mobile Arena on Tuesday.

Karlsson made it 2-2 when he tipped in Kaedan Korczak’s shot past Jake Oettinger.

“He’s always good,” Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said of Karlsson. “He might not show up in the score sheet every night, but very reliable guy. … He’s a competitor. He knows the game.”

Korczak scored his first NHL goal, and Karlsson also had an assist for the Golden Knights, who are 4-0-0 to start the season. Adin Hill made 24 saves.

Vegas became the first team since the 1997-98 Detroit Red Wings to start the season 4-0-0 as defending Stanley Cup champions.

“It just speaks volumes to the group of guys we got here,” Hill said. “We didn’t take the start of the season lightly after coming off the win. We came back to camp, got back to business. Everyone showed up in good shape. It’s showing.”

Craig Smith and Joe Pavelski scored, and Oettinger made 32 saves for the Stars (1-0-1).

“You know it wasn’t going to be easy. It’s a good point on the road for us,” Dallas coach Peter DeBoer said. “Our execution looked like we haven’t played in five or six days. It was our second game of the year. We have areas to improve. We’ll take the point and move forward.”

Pavelski had given the Stars a 2-1 lead at 2:50 of the third period with a wrist shot from the left circle after a face-off win by Roope Hintz. 

“It’s nice to see it go in for the first one [of the season],” he said.

Smith made it 1-0 at 5:52 of the second period on a rebound in front.

Korczak scored on a wrist shot from just beyond the right circle at 13:03 for his first NHL goal to tie it 1-1.

“I joined the play and moved my feet. [Brett Howden] made a great drop pass,” Korczak said. “I just found a lane. There was a screen up front. I was lucky that it went in.”

There were 57 hits credited in the game, 40 by the Golden Knights, who eliminated the Stars in six games last season in the best-of-7 Western Conference Final.

“There’s some animosity left over from last May. Looks like we’ve built some more,” Cassidy said.

Shea Theodore and Jonathan Marchessault scored in the shootout for Vegas; Matt Duchene scored for Dallas.

“I felt alright [in my first shootout of the season],” Hill said. “I don’t think I’ve ever won a shootout without making a save, so I’ll take it.”

NOTES: The Golden Knights also won their first four games of the 2020-21 season. … Vegas forward William Carrier returned after missing two games because of an upper-body injury. He had four hits in 11:40 of ice time. … Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (upper body) missed his second straight game. He is day to day. … Vegas remained perfect on the penalty kill on the season (11-for-11). … Theodore and Vegas forward Jack Eichel each had eight shots on goal. … It was Pavelski’s 450th career goal, which ties him with Doug Gilmour for fourth among players selected in the seventh round or later at the NHL Draft. Luc Robitaille leads with 668.