Live Blog: Golden Knights get first win over Oilers in 4-1 rout

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AP Photo/David Becker

Vegas Golden Knights goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) defends against Edmonton Oilers center Drake Caggiula during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, in Las Vegas.

Published Thu, Feb 15, 2018 (4:30 p.m.)

Updated Thu, Feb 15, 2018 (9:37 p.m.)

After losing the first two meetings, the Golden Knights finally got their first win against Edmonton Thursday night at T-Mobile Arena, and did it emphatically.

Vegas routed the Oilers 4-1 to extend its lead in the Western Conference to three.

William Karlsson scored his 30th goal of the season in the second period to extend the Golden Knights’ lead to 3-0 at the time.

Erik Haula notched his 22nd to stretch the lead to 4-0 early in the third period, and Vegas cruised to a victory from there.

Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 28-of-29 shots, but his shutout bid ended with 7:29 remaining when Leon Draisaitl beat him to his glove side after a great pass by Connor McDavid.

The Golden Knights are now 2-1-0 on the current homestand, which still has four games remaining. They host the Montreal Canadiens Saturday night.

Golden Knights lead 3-0 after two periods

The Golden Knights lead the Edmonton Oilers 3-0 after two periods, thanks in part to a two-goal swing that happened in a matter of seconds.

Already trailing 2-0, the Oilers got a golden chance to cut the deficit in half with a 2-on-1 shorthanded chance, but Vegas goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury got across the crease to make the save.

The Golden Knights took the rebound and raced up the ice, where William Karlsson scored his 30th goal of the season to make it 3-0.

Jonathan Marchessault notched his 55th point of the season by tipping a shot by Nate Schmidt past Cam Talbot early in the second period for the Golden Knights.

Golden Knights lead 1-0 after one period

The Golden Knights claimed forward Ryan Carpenter off waivers on Dec. 13 after he was released by the San Jose Sharks.

Thursday night he opened the scoring for the Golden Knights, giving them a 1-0 lead after one period over the Edmonton Oilers at T-Mobile Arena.

It was Carpenter’s fourth goal in five games for Vegas. The Sharks released him after he went scoreless with only one assist in 16 games this season in San Jose.

It’s something the Golden Knights have done all season: Finding potential in players other teams have deemed below par.

Deryk Engelland was credited for the assist on the goal, giving him a career high 18 points this season.

Vegas and Edmonton each had nine shots on goal in the first period, with Marc-Andre Fleury making stops on all nine Oilers’ chances.

The Golden Knights are 22-3-0 when scoring first and 15-4-0 when leading after one period.

Pre game

The Golden Knights have been spectacular against divisional opponents this season, with an NHL-leading 13-1-1 record against the Pacific Division.

Vegas is 13-0-0 against the Sharks, Flames, Kings, Ducks, Canucks and Coyotes combined, and a winless 0-1-1 in two games against the Edmonton Oilers.

Tonight the Golden Knights will get a third crack at the Oilers, who crushed them 8-2 in Edmonton on Nov. 14 and edged them out 3-2 in overtime in Las Vegas on Jan. 13.

While the Oilers have been Vegas’ cryptonite to this point, they are having an otherwise disappointing season as they sit is sixth place in the division, well out of the playoff picture. Edmonton has lost four straight games, surrendering 21 goals during the span.

Vegas isn’t the team to cure goaltending woes against. The Golden Knights are No. 2 in the NHL with 3.4 goals per game and are fresh off a five-goal performance against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Prediction: Golden Knights 4, Oilers 2

Season record for predictions: 28-20

Puck drops: 7 p.m.

Where: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas

Radio: Fox Sports 1340 AM and 98.9 FM

TV: AT&T SportsNet (DirecTV 684, Cox 1313, CenturyLink Prism 1760)

Betting line: Golden Knights minus-210, Total 6.5 minus-120 to the under

Golden Knights (37-15-4) (20-4-2 home)

Coach: Gerard Gallant

Goal leader: William Karlsson (29)

Assist leader: David Perron (37)

Expected goalie: Marc-Andre Fleury (17-6-2, 2.07 goals against average)

Edmonton Oilers (23-28-4) (11-14-2 away)

Coach: Todd McLellan

Goal leader: Connor McDavid (23)

Assist leader: Connor McDavid (43)

Expected goalie: Cam Talbot (19-20-2, 3.18 goals against average)

Golden Knights game day roster

Forwards (12): Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, Ryan Carpenter, Cody Eakin, Erik Haula, William Karlsson, Oscar Lindberg, Jonathan Marchessault, James Neal, Tomas Nosek, David Perron, Reilly Smith and Alex Tuch.

Defensemen (6): Deryk Engelland, Brad Hunt, Brayden McNabb, Colin Miller, Nate Schmidt and Shea Theodore.

Goalies (2): Marc-Andre Fleury and Oscar Dansk

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