Golden Knights close preseason with 5-1 win over Coyotes

The Golden Knights, using most of its expected opening night lineup, concluded the preseason on Saturday with a 5-1 win over the Arizona Coyotes at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.

The strong offensive night started with a three-goal first period, as Chandler Stephenson and Nic Roy scored 2 minutes, 2 seconds apart and Jonathan Marchessault scored at 15:11 of the frame for a 3-0 lead.

Vegas added two more goals in the third period, when Jack Eichel was credited with a power-play goal after an Arizona clearing pass behind the net deflected off his skate and past goalie Jon Gillies. Alex Pietrangelo added the fifth goal on a one-timer from above the left circle.

Roy and Reilly Smith finished with two points each, and expected opening night goalie Logan Thompson made 14 saves.

Here are some observations from the final preseason game:

New-look top six does well

Coach Bruce Cassidy changed the top two lines midway through Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Kings and kept the rotation for the preseason finale.

Marchessault replaced Phil Kessel on the top line with Smith and Eichel, and Brett Howden took Marchessault's place in the second line. Kessel is now on the third line.

These combinations didn’t look possible when the Golden Knights' training camp began because Howden was viewed as a fourth line player, but after two strong outings, it might be the look the team starts with Tuesday for the regular season opener at the Los Angeles Kings.

The Eichel line combined for three points at 5-on-5 on Saturday. And while the Stephenson line was held pointless at even strength, they were strong defensively.

Goalies finish strong

Goaltending is still a question mark, but the Thompson-Adin Hill tandem will likely see a lot of action to start the season.

The two split time on Saturday, with Thompson yielding one goal and Hill stopping all 10 shots he saw in relief.

It was a much more positive result for Thompson, who was shaky Thursday in giving up four goals on 29 shots in his first full preseason action against NHL players — not the rookies and minor leaguers he faced early in the exhibition season. Some of the poor play was blamed on poor defense in front of him.

It's a similar narrative for Hill, who surrendered seven goals against San Jose to open the preseason, to finish the preseason strong.

Fourth line improves

Cassidy said last week that the fourth line, centered by Roy with Keegan Kolesar and Paul Cotter, was not where it needed to be at 5-on-5.

The trio had its best game Saturday with Roy scoring his first goal of the preseason, and being on the ice for Pietrangelo’s goal midway through the third.

Cassidy wants to get to a point where he plays his fourth line at least 12 minutes a night. He’s started the Roy line the last two games, and that might be a constant going forward.

Roy and Kolesar were given long-term extensions this summer, but have not played well enough to merit those deals until Saturday.

With Jake Leschyshyn and Jonas Rondbjerg still yet to be cut from the roster — primarily because they’re no longer waiver exempt and could be potentially claimed by other teams — a lot of eyes will be on Vegas when the opening day roster has to be finalized by 2 p.m. Monday.

Danny Webster can be reached at 702-259-8814 or [email protected]. Follow Danny on Twitter at twitter.com/DannyWebster21.