Knights explode in third period to continue winning streak

The two combined to score seven goals in 20 minutes. They were called for five penalties. The game was tied, broken open and drawn close again.

When the dust settled, the Knights allowed a season-high four goals for the second straight game. They also had the best record in the NHL.

The Knights’ 6-4 victory in Montreal ran their winning streak to seven games, tied for the fourth-longest in franchise history. They’re 11-2, and looking down at everyone else in the league standings after missing the playoffs a season ago.

“We cannot take it for granted for sure,” right wing Jonathan Marchessault said. “Winning in (this) league is pretty hard. We got a reality check last year.”

The Knights entered the third period up 2-1, seemingly 20 tight-checking minutes away from keeping their winning ways going.

The game instead opened up for both sides.

Montreal captain Nick Suzuki, a Knights first-round pick in 2017, tied things up 56 seconds into the third. Left wing Reilly Smith scored his second goal of the game to retake the lead 3:49 later.

The Knights’ fourth line then did its best to put things away. Right wing Keegan Kolesar and center Nicolas Roy scored 21 seconds apart to make it a 5-2 game with 11:25 left to play.

Things were far from over. Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson hit defenseman Alex Pietrangelo from behind in the neutral zone a little more than halfway through the period, resulting in Anderson getting a boarding penalty and a game misconduct. Coach Bruce Cassidy said the play was “unnecessary.”

Pietrangelo and defenseman Alec Martinez were called for roughing as well, however, giving Montreal a brief 4-on-3 power play.

Suzuki took advantage for his second goal. Marchessault answered right back when the Knights went on the power play for Anderson’s hit to put them up 6-3 with 6:44 to play. The team’s six goals were their most in a game this season.

One last strike from left wing Juraj Slafkovsky, the No. 1 overall pick in 2022, closed the scoring. It was a dizzying sequence of action. But the Knights, after it all was settled, improved to 3-0 on their five-game road trip with stops in Toronto and Buffalo remaining.

“One of our strengths we had the first year (was) we’re a resilient group,” Marchessault said. “I think we’re finding that back right now.”

Here are three takeaways from the win:

1. Blue line heats up

The Knights’ blue line was mostly known for its stellar defensive work early in the season. It’s starting to help out on the offensive end as well.

Defenseman Nic Hague scored the Knights’ first goal, giving them three goals from the blue line in three games. Defensemen only scored twice in the team’s first nine games.

Hague and his partner Zach Whitecloud were also two of the Knights’ best players Saturday. They were each a team-high plus-four against Montreal.

2. Marchessault’s milestone

Marchessault recorded a goal and assist in the win to give him 301 points with the Knights.

He’s the first player in franchise history to score 300.

Marchessault had been held without a point his previous three games, and without a goal his last six. He broke his skid in his home province. Quebec natives Roy and left wing William Carrier (one assist) shined as well.

“They all came to play tonight,” Cassidy said. “I wish we could play here every night for those guys.”

3. Power play comes through

The Knights received a special-teams boost yet again with two power-play goals against Montreal.

They’ve scored on the man advantage four of their last five games. They have 10 power-play goals this season. It took them 27 games to hit the same figure last year.

Contact Ben Gotz at bgotz@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BenSGotz on Twitter.