Golden Knights rally past Flyers, season-opening winning streak at 7

LAS VEGAS -- The Vegas Golden Knights extended their season-opening winning streak to seven games with a 3-2 come-from-behind victory against the Philadelphia Flyers at T-Mobile Arena on Tuesday.

Shea Theodore scored the game-winning goal with 33 seconds remaining in the third period. He took a drop pass from Jack Eichel, skated to the top of the left circle, and beat a screened Carter Hart.

“It got frustrating, but we battled through and were able to get through in the end,” Theodore said. “We know what’s at stake every night. It’s good to get those two points.”

Ivan Barbashev and Paul Cotter also scored, and Eichel had two assists for Vegas. Logan Thompson made 26 saves.

Noah Cates and Cam Atkinson scored, and Hart made 26 saves for Philadelphia (3-2-1).

“We played 40 really good [minutes]. You don’t want to be on your heels. We talk about it in between periods,” Flyers coach John Tortorella said. “They turned it up. They threw caution to the wind. You end up backing up a little bit and being tentative. Some of our younger players felt it a little bit. These are the lessons we’re going to have to go through.”

Barbashev gave the Golden Knights a 1-0 lead at 6:54 of the first period, scoring five-hole on a rebound in front.

“He was more involved. I liked his game,” Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. “He was working to his spots. He was better on the walls. Good for ‘Barbie.’ He’s a good hockey player. His game is going to get in order.”

Cates tied it 1-1 at 13:07. He knocked in a rebound near the right post after Joel Farabee batted his saucer pass on net.

Atkinson gave the Flyers a 2-1 lead at 17:19 of the first when his backhand from a bad angle hit off the blocker of Thompson, deflected down onto his left pad and bounced into the net.

“We see the stretches when we’re so good and dominating,” Cates said. “We’ve seen the top teams out West. It’s just consistency, putting it together for a full 60. ”

Cotter tied it 2-2 at 12:06 of the third period. He received a pass from William Karlsson as he entered the offensive zone, put the puck between his legs to get around Flyers defenseman Egor Zamula, and beat Hart blocker side from the bottom of the right circle.

“It’s a move that I’m comfortable with,” Cotter said. “It’s something I’ve done so many times that I know how to do it. There are certain times to do it. It was the right time, right spot, so I figured I’ll pull it off.”

Cotter's goal came after he did not play in the final 9:16 of the second period, when Cassidy shortened his bench in an attempt to spark the Golden Knights.

“That’s hockey,” Cotter said. “Sometimes the bench gets shortened, and we’re all in the NHL for a reason, so as soon as our name is called on, we have a job to do. So if [Cassidy] feels that some guys need to get out there or some guys need a break to mentally regroup, then so be it. You get an edge on your shoulder and go out there and do your job.”

NOTES: Barbashev's goal was his first point since he scored in Vegas' season opener on Oct. 10. ... Golden Knights forward Nicolas Roy left the game with an undisclosed injury at 7:09 of the third period. “He was walking around. He was sore. That’s all I know,” Cassidy said. “If he comes in tomorrow morning (and) he’s not feeling good, he’ll get looked at further. But that’s all I got for him."