Hurricanes 3, Golden Knights 2 (SO): 3 Takeaways

This was one of those nights where it seemed like things would turn out in the Golden Knights' favor.
A game tied late at home.
It looked like it would turn out the same way it had for each of the team's last three home games, which were all decided in Vegas' favor in either overtime or a shootout.
It looked like that's the way the game was going...
And then it just didn't, as Phil Di Giuseppe's goal in the fifth round of the shootout handed Vegas a 3-2 defeat. Although by taking the game past regulation, the Golden Knights earned their 40th point in the standings.
Vegas is now 19-9-2.
Here are three immediate takeaways from tonight's game.

1. Fleury Sensational
If you look at tonight from a big-picture perspective, it was the night that goalie Marc-Andre Fleury returned to the lineup.

Fleury, sidelined since October 13 with a concussion, returned and was the best player on the ice. He had 35 saves on 37 shots, and willed the Golden Knights, nearly to victory.

Although Fleury was one shootout save from finishing this game in Vegas' favor, it's certainly important for this team's long-term fortunes that its No. 1 goalie returned to the lineup and appeared to have not missed a beat.

2. Vegas Actually Didn't Win In Overtime
It sounds silly to make such a big deal out of this. But with the Golden Knights having secured each of their last three home wins in overtime or a shootout, and four of the team's last six victories overall, tonight seemed like a game that was attainable.
Although Reilly Smith's shootout goal gave Vegas a lead.

Although the Golden Knights were one save from winning, the outcome of tonight's game was fair.

Gerard Gallant admitted that the Hurricanes were the far better team. And although securing a win under such circumstances would've been nice, Vegas is fortunate to have not gone home empty-handed.
Carolina finished with a 37-24 shots advantage through regulation and overtime.
3. Second Period Pushback
Early in the game, the Hurricanes took the play to the Golden Knights, although only a fluke goal that was credited to Marcus Kruger had Carolina ahead 1-0 after 20 minutes.
The Golden Knights' best stretch of the game was early in the second period.

By getting goals from Deryk Engelland and Reilly Smith in the second period, the Golden Knights were able to give Fleury just enough support to hold down the fort for another point.

If there's any consolation for the Golden Knights tonight, it's that the LA Kings lost to the New Jersey Devils. In regulation.
And with Vegas securing a point in the standings, the Golden Knights are now only three points out of first place...with two games in hand.