Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy scores big win over Anaheim Ducks | Golden Knights

Since arriving in Las Vegas more than two seasons ago, Bruce Cassidy has been a success.

This will now be reflected in the Golden Knights’ record books.

Cassidy became the winningest coach in Knights history by earning his 119th win with the franchise in a 3-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks at T-Mobile Arena on Monday.

The 59-year-old coach, who won his 400th game earlier this season, surpassed Gerard Gallant by improving to 119-59-20 in 198 games with the Knights. Gallant, the franchise’s first coach, had a 118-75-20 record with the team before being fired on January 15, 2020.

Center Tomas Hertl and right winger Keegan Kolesar each had a goal and an assist to help Cassidy set the record on Monday. Left winger Tanner Pearson scored a shorthanded goal to help the Knights (23-8-3) to their eighth win in nine games. Goalkeeper Adin Hill made 27 saves.

The Knights dominated from the start against an Anaheim team playing for the second straight night. The Ducks topped the Utah Hockey Club 5-4 in overtime on Sunday.

Anaheim goaltender John Gibson stopped the first 11 shots he faced, but left the game late in the first period after taking a stick to the eye from Knights center Tanner Laczynski. Lukas Dostal, who was in the starting line-up for the Ducks on Sunday, came in to replace him.

The first shot Dostal saw went into the net.

Laczynski had to intervene because of the accidental hit to the eye, but the Knights’ penalty shot came through. Pearson received a pass from Kolesar and beat Dostal with 41 seconds left in the first period to give his team a 1-0 lead.

From there, the Knights controlled the game, but the Ducks held on long enough to equalize. Anaheim went ahead with its 15th shot 1:13 into the third period when Mason McTavish tied the game on an odd-man rush.

The Knights regained the lead at 9:36 when Hertl scored his 10th goal of the season. Kolesar rounded things off by scoring a game-winning goal with 4:10 left.

The Knights now enter their three-day holiday break with a five-point lead in the Pacific Division. With two games remaining, they are two points behind the Winnipeg Jets for the top spot in the Western Conference.

Here are three takeaways from the win:

1. Knights sweep ducks

The Knights won all four meetings with the Ducks this season, outscoring Anaheim 13-5.

There remains a large gap between the two sides.

Anaheim is a young team still trying to find its identity. The Knights, on the other hand, are one of the top clubs in the NHL.

2. The year of Kolesar continues

The 27-year-old Kolesar continues to build on his best season yet. His goal was his ninth of the season, a new career high.

Kolesar is typically a physical fourth-line striker, but he has shown enough goal threat to create opportunities in a higher role. He got that Monday and spent time on the second line with Hertl and William Karlsson.

3. Hertl is preparing for San Jose

Hertl’s goal came at a good time.

The Knights’ next game is Friday in San Jose. It will be Hertl’s first return since the Sharks traded him away in March.

Contact Danny Webster at [email protected]. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.