Whitecloud scores twice for Golden Knights in win against Red Wings

LAS VEGAS -- Zach Whitecloud scored twice in his return to the lineup for the Vegas Golden Knights in a 5-2 win against the Detroit Red Wings at T-Mobile Arena on Thursday.

Whitecloud had not played since Oct. 22 after sustaining a broken hand that required surgery. The defenseman, with his first multipoint game in the NHL, played his first game since signing a six-year, $16.5 million contract extension ($2.75 million average annual value) Oct. 28.
"It was exciting to get back in," Whitecloud said. "Obviously when you're injured for an extended period of time or any time that you're away from the boys or kind of the regular schedule, you start to miss out, obviously. Sitting up in the press box you just want to get playing as quick as possible. It's exciting to be back, to be back contributing."

Nicolas Hague, Paul Cotter and Reilly Smith scored for the Golden Knights (10-7-0), who scored four times in the second period for their sixth win in eight games. Robin Lehner made 26 saves, and Vegas improved to 4-1-0 during its six-game homestand.
The Golden Knights canceled morning skate on Thursday after forward Michael Amadio entered COVID-19 protocol Wednesday. He is the third player since Monday, along with forwards William Carrier and Jonathan Marchessault, to go into protocol.
"Really proud of them. It seems like every day we get something new thrown at us," Golden Knights coach Peter DeBoer said. "They don't let anything affect them. … They found their legs and their game and didn't let what's going on around them affect how they played. It was a real solid game."
Givani Smith and Joe Veleno scored for the Red Wings (8-9-2), who lost their third consecutive game after winning four of five. Thomas Greiss allowed four goals on 22 shots in two periods. He was replaced by Alex Nedeljkovic, who made nine saves.
"I thought honestly we made some mistakes, but we were better defensively at times," Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. "We still obviously made some mistakes, and when we made them they ended up in our net."
Hague gave the Golden Knights a 1-0 lead at 3:31 of the second period, gathering a rebound from Alex Pietrangelo's point shot and scoring in the top right corner.

Whitecloud made it 2-0 at 5:56 after receiving a cross-ice pass from Mark Stone and scoring five-hole, but Givani Smith cut it to 2-1 at 10:19 with his first goal since Feb. 7.
"Confidence goes both ways, offensively and defensively," Red Wings forward Sam Gagner said. "The only way to get it back is through work and making sure we're detailed. We're making errors as a team that's trying to grow and forge an identity. We have to be better in those areas."
Whitecloud scored his second of the period at 12:32 with a shot from the point to give Vegas a 3-1 lead. Forward Nicolas Roy had an assist in his 100th NHL game.
Cotter made it 4-1 at 19:06 with a wrist shot from the slot.
Reilly Smith increased the lead to 5-1 at 5:19 of the third by going forehand to backhand glove side before Veleno made it 5-2 at 18:34.
"We have one more game here on the homestand and we've got to take care of business, but so far it's a testament to our group, system, coaches, everyone," Lehner said. "We're fighting through a lot of adversity. Really proud of the guys and the young guys that have jumped in."
NOTES: This was the Golden Knights' first win against the Red Wings at T-Mobile Arena. … Whitecloud became the fifth Golden Knights defenseman to have a multigoal game (Dylan Coghlan, March 10, 2021; Alec Martinez, April 5, 2021; Shea Theodore, Nov. 27, 2018, Feb. 1, 2019, Jan. 20, 2021; and Nate Schmidt, Dec. 4, 2018, Dec. 27, 2019). … Red Wings rookie Moritz Seider left in the third period after blocking a shot with his right knee. There was no update. … Detroit forward Dylan Larkin had an assist in 15:58 after being pulled after the second period Tuesday against the Dallas Stars due to COVID-19 protocol. … Theodore did not play after hitting his head on the boards on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. He skated Thursday and is expected to skate again Friday, but there is no timetable for his return. … Forward Sven Baertschi had one shot in 13:54 in his Vegas debut.