Olofsson breaks tie late, Golden Knights edge Canucks

VANCOUVER -- Victor Olofsson scored the go-ahead goal at 16:46 of the third period, and the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 at Rogers Arena on Sunday.

William Karlsson drove wide around Quinn Hughes down the right wing and skated behind Vancouver's net before making a backhand pass to Olofsson, who was alone in the low slot for a quick shot past the glove of Kevin Lankinen.

It was Olofsson’s first goal in five game and came on his fifth shot after he recorded nine shots in the Golden Knights' 3-2 overtime win at the Calgary Flames on Saturday.

“It was nice to get it finally. I think I had about 15 chances these last couple games, and it was a perfect play by [Karlsson] skating in up the ice and found me right in front of the net,” Olofsson said. “I know he's a great playmaker and he will definitely find me in the slot, so I just tried to find some open ice, and perfect pass by [Karlsson] and that one I fortunately didn't miss.”

Ivan Barbashev and Nicolas Roy also scored, and Adin Hill made 19 saves for the Golden Knights (47-22-8), who moved five points ahead of the Los Angeles Kings for first place in the Pacific Division. The Kings have one game in hand.

“Obviously, that matters. It's more about us getting our game in order and playing the right way,” Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. “We thought Thursday, or, I thought and I think the group agreed, that we need to be better. So, we got on the road in Calgary and I thought played a pretty solid game, had some ups and downs there, and found a way to win. And tonight, I thought we were good.”

Nils Hoglander and Aatu Raty scored, and Lankinen made 32 saves for the Canucks (35-29-13), who have lost four of their past five (1-3-1).

“Disappointing result. Obviously, that's on top of my head right now,” Lankinen said. “We battled hard. It's a good team we played against, but not the result we wanted.”

Vancouver is eight points behind the Minnesota Wild, who defeated the Dallas Stars 3-2 in overtime earlier on Sunday, for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference. The Canucks have one game in hand.

“We're just going to keep building, keep believing here,” Lankinen said. “I try to do my best and just make sure I compete my [butt] off. Just go as hard as I can and try to help the team win. And unfortunately, that wasn't enough tonight.”

Hoglander, who missed the previous six games with an undisclosed injury, put the Canucks ahead 1-0 at 4:46 of the first period. He chipped a rebound over the left pad of a sprawling Hill from the top of the crease.

“It's always nice to play again,” Hoglander said. “It [stinks] to be out, so felt good to be on the ice.”

Barbashev tied it 1-1 at 8:36. After being sent in alone down the left wing by Mark Stone, Barbashev cut back across the crease and around Lankinen before sliding the puck into an open net with his backhand.

“Just kind of got on the breakaway and made a move,” Barbashev said. “I kind of saw him toe pick a little, the goalie, so I think it was a good time to go around.”

Roy put Vegas ahead 2-1 off the rush at 13:15 of the first. His initial slap shot from the top of the right circle was stopped by Lankinen’s right pad, but the rebound hit the right heel of defenseman Victor Mancini and deflected into the net.

Raty tied it 2-2 at 8:03 of the second period, knocking a rebound over a prone Hill from the top of the crease. Vegas challenged the play for goaltender interference, but the call stood after a video review.

The Golden Knights were assessed a penalty for delay of game for the failed challenge, during which Hill made a beautiful glove save off a one-timer from Pius Suter in the slot.

“Didn't go our way, and we got a huge save, and good for [Hill],” Cassidy said. “I'm sure he appreciates the fact we went to bat for him on the goalie interference, so he makes the big save, so that's everybody looking after one another, and from there we got back to our game and it didn't have an influence on the game.”

NOTES: The Golden Knights have won all three games against the Canucks this season and are 17-5-1 against Pacific Division opponents. ... Vegas improved to 8-4-0 in the second half of a back-to-back this season.