Stephenson's 4 points help Golden Knights to shootout win against Blues

LAS VEGAS -- Chandler Stephenson had four points and scored in the shootout in the Vegas Golden Knights' 5-4 victory against St. Louis Blues at T-Mobile Arena on Friday.

Stephenson tied it 4-4 with a power-play goal with 1:36 left in the third period, scoring on a shot from below the right face-off circle off a rebound.
"Anytime you're trying for two, you have to have fun with it," Stephenson said. "You can't grip your stick too tight. … Some nights, you're lucky."
Stephenson had a goal and three assists, Michael Amadio had a goal and two assists, and Logan Thompson made 25 saves for Vegas (24-11-1). Mark Stone scored the game-winning goal in the shootout.
"Those guys (Stephenson, Stone, and Amadio) have been outstanding," Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said. "We need that. We're down a few guys. The guys who are expected to produce have. We're finding different ways to win. We're finally scoring at home. … You take the points at this time of year. Good for 'Stevie.' Good for 'Stoney.' Good for Amadio."

Vladimir Tarasenko had a goal and two assists for St. Louis (16-16-2). Jordan Binnington made 28 saves.
"It's tough, but guys battled hard. We scored enough goals to win," Blues coach Craig Berube said. "We need more guys contributing, but we got that one line (Tarsesnko, Robert Thomas, Pavel Buchnevich) scoring for us. … It was a hard-fought game. They're tight games. They're exciting games. I liked our effort, but at the same time, we have to clean up some puck play and we got to be a little bit better defensively in our own zone."
Alex Pietrangelo scored on a backhand at at 5:22 of the first period after receiving a Stephenson drop pass to give Vegas a 1-0 lead.
Buchnevich tied it 1-1, scoring from the slot 39 seconds into the second period.
The Golden Knights reclaimed the lead 2-1 when Stone scored off a rebound at 4:29, but Tarasenko tied it 2-2 with a power-play goal from just outside the left circle at 6:17.
Justin Faulk gave the Blues a 3-2 lead with a shot from the right face-off dot at 8:17, but Amadio tied it 3-3 at 18:34 after a cross-ice pass from Stone.
"I didn't think he saw me at first," Amadio said. "It was a great play by 'Stevey' and [Stone]."

It marked the third consecutive game with a point for Amadio and second with a goal since moving up to the first line with Stephenson and Stone.
"We've gone through different guys, but it's working out for him," Cassidy said. "'Amo' is that type of player that can complement good players. … We've had him in a lower spot in the lineup, but he's had to change his game because the players around him are more north and south. Now he's getting an opportunity to play the game he was used to in the American (Hockey) League or in junior. Good for him to finally step up and do it."
Noel Acciari tipped in a Brandon Saad shot at 10:45 of the third period to make it 4-3 St. Louis.
Following a Saad hooking penalty, Stephenson scored his game-tying goal to extend the game.
"I just tried to collapse on the net. That's what you kind of need to do 6-on-5 to get some dirty ones," Stephenson said. "I got a fortunate bounce, and it was just sitting there for me. I didn't have to do too much with it. Nice to tie it up."
NOTES: Blues defenseman Torey Krug had two assists to extend his assist streak to four games. He has five assists in that span. … Stephenson has a point in seven consecutive games. In that stretch, he has three goals and 11 assists. … Amadio's three points were an NHL career high. … Pietrangelo has a four-game point streak (two goals, four assists).