Whitecloud Scores Twice in Return as Vegas Downs Detroit, 5-2

Zach Whitecloud scored two goals in his first game back from injury as the Vegas Golden Knights (10-7-0) defeated the Detroit Red Wings (8-9-2), 5-2, on Thursday night at T-Mobile Arena.

HOW IT WENT DOWN
After a scoreless opening frame, Nicolas Hague buried the game's first goal to give Vegas a 1-0 lead. Whitecloud potted his first of the game less than three minutes later to extend the lead to 2-0. Givani Smith beat Robin Lehner midway through the frame to get Detroit on the board, but Whitecloud scored again two minutes later to rebuild the two-goal advantage. Paul Cotter found the back of the net for the second time in four games to give Vegas a 4-1 edge through 40 minutes. Reilly Smith scored in the third and, despite a late goal from Joe Veleno, Lehner polished off a 26-save win for the Golden Knights.
TOP PERFORMERS
Zach Whitecloud: The two-goal showing was Whitecloud's first multi-point game in the NHL.
Nicolas Hague:Hague's goal was his third of the season.
Alex Pietrangelo: Pietrangelo recorded an assist and had a +2 rating.
STAT OF THE KNIGHT
The win was the first home victory for the Golden Knights against the Red Wings in their history.
ATTENDANCE: 18,002
LOOKING AHEAD
The Golden Knights will conclude their six-game homestand as they host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday at 7 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena. Tune in on AT&T SportsNet, FOX Sports Las Vegas 98.9/1340 and Deportes Vegas 1460.