Connelly’s shootout goal lifts Golden Knights past Maple Leafs 4-3

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Trevor Connelly scored in the fifth round of the shootout and the Vegas Golden Knights came back from a three-goal deficit for a 4-3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night.

The rookie beat Sergei Bobrovsky with a backhand-forehand move before Vegas goalie Adin Hill denied Toronto’s John Tavares as Vegas rallied for its third consecutive victory.

Braeden Bowman also scored for Vegas in the shootout. Kirill Marchenko was Toronto’s only successful shooter as Hill recovered from the early barrage and kept the Maple Leafs scoreless through the second, third, and overtime periods.

Mark Stone, Brett Howden and Jack Eichel — on a penalty shot — scored for Vegas. Hill made 21 saves and stopped four of Toronto’s five shootout attempts.

Jack Roslovic, Easton Cowan and Nick Paul gave Toronto a 3-0 lead in the first period. Bobrovsky made 40 saves.

Connelly's shootout goal lifts Golden Knights past Maple Leafs 4-3 | iNFOnews.ca
Toronto Maple Leafs’ Jack Roslovic (96) reacts after scoring against the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Roslovic opened the scoring 34 seconds into his 600th career game, slipping the puck between Hill’s pads and the post from the goal line for his 300th career point.

Cowan scored on a breakaway at 3:20, and Paul made it 3-0 at 8:37.

Stone started the comeback with a slap shot at 17:36 of the first period. Eichel assisted, extending his assist and point streaks to five games.

Howden tapped in Mitch Marner’s pass at 1:12 of the second before Eichel tied it on a penalty shot at 3:58.

Eichel has three goals and 12 points through five games.

Connelly's shootout goal lifts Golden Knights past Maple Leafs 4-3 | iNFOnews.ca
Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, right, stops a shot by Vegas Golden Knights’ Brett Howden (21) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Vegas outshot Toronto 43-24 but went 0 for 4 on the power play, its first game without a power-play goal this season.

UP NEXT

Maple Leafs: Visit Colorado on Saturday.

Golden Knights: Host Los Angeles on Saturday.

Connelly's shootout goal lifts Golden Knights past Maple Leafs 4-3 | iNFOnews.ca
Vegas Golden Knights’ Braeden Bowman (42), Knights’ Rasmus Andersson (4) and Toronto Maple Leafs’ Morgan Rielly (44) chase the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

___

See AP’s full NHL coverage here

Connelly's shootout goal lifts Golden Knights past Maple Leafs 4-3 | iNFOnews.ca
Vegas Golden Knights’ Brett Howden, right, celebrates with teammates after a goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press


The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.