Charles Krupa / AP
Vegas Golden Knights left wing Max Pacioretty (67) is congratulated after his goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, in Boston.
Published Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021 | 7:50 p.m.
Updated Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021 | 8:47 p.m.
If Max Pacioretty played the whole season at his current scoring rate, he’d fall three goals short of the NHL record. That’s the kind of hot streak he’s on right now.
Pacioretty added two more goals Tuesday night, running his total to 12 in 11 games played this season — an 89-goal pace over an 82-game season. It extended his own team-record streak to seven consecutive games with a goal, and lifted the Golden Knights over the Boston Bruins at TD Garden, 4-1.
Chandler Stephenson had three assists to give him seven in his last two games, and Mark Stone had a pair of helpers. Pacioretty and Stone have a point in nine-straight games, tying a team record.
“It was a good start to a tough road trip tonight in a tough building,” coach Pete DeBoer said. "I liked our game.”
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“Hot” doesn’t begin to describe the streak Pacioretty is on right now. He had two goals on opening night, then was injured and missed the next 17 games. He didn’t miss a step on his return, and his 12 goals are tied for the team lead. He has more two-goal games (4) than zero-goal games, and more three-point nights (2) than zero-point games (1).
During his seven-game goal streak starting Dec. 1, he has 10 goals, which is more than the Montreal Canadiens and Arizona Coyotes have this month.
Outside of Pacioretty, the Golden Knights played a near-flawless first period to build what turned out to be an insurmountable lead. Shea Theodore opened the scoring with a slapper that pinballed off a Boston defender and in, then Pacioretty got loose on a Stephenson breakaway and buried it. Vegas drew a power play with 19 seconds left, and Jonathan Marchessault beat the buzzer to give the Golden Knights a 3-0 lead after 20 minutes.
Pacioretty added his second 5:06 into the second period, becoming the fifth player in the last 20 years to score 12 or more times in his first 11 appearances of the season. Both goals were assisted by Stephenson, who became the first Golden Knight to ever have three or more assists in back-to-back games, and the second player in the NHL this season to do so.
Robin Lehner picked up the victory in net for the Golden Knights, performing admirably during a recent slump. He lost the bid for his first shutout 21 seconds into the third period, but finished with 23 saves. The one goal was the fewest he’s allowed since Nov. 4.
"It felt good. I got to make a few saves and there wasn't that many," Lehner said. "As I said, it ebbs and flows during the season and it's still early. We did positive things through some ruts, we're still winning, and just not let it get to you and block out all the noise and just keep getting better."
It was the Golden Knights’ first-ever victory in Boston after going winless in their first three trips. The Maple Leafs are the only team against which they’ve played but never beaten on the road (four games in Toronto).
