Golden Knights beat Anaheim Ducks 3-1 in second-round playoff opener

Ivan Barbashev’s controversial late goal secured a hard-fought 3-1 victory for the Vegas Golden Knights over the Anaheim Ducks in the opening game of their second-round playoff series in Las Vegas on Monday.

With just under five minutes remaining in regulation, the Russian forward capitalised on a superb pass from Pavel Dorofeyev to break a tense 1-1 deadlock.

The pivotal strike followed a contentious non-icing call by the officials, prompting a furious reaction from Anaheim head coach Joel Quenneville on the bench.

Mitch Marner later sealed the win with a 162-foot empty-net effort with only six seconds left on the clock.

Howden extends scoring streak

Brett Howden had earlier opened the scoring for the hosts, extending his personal goal streak to a career-best four games.

The forward converted a precise pass from Marner midway through the second period entirely against the run of play.

Anaheim had dominated the early exchanges, outshooting the home side 11-6 in the first period, but struggled to beat an inspired Carter Hart.

The Vegas goaltender made 33 crucial saves throughout the contest, continually frustrating the visiting attack.

Penalty kill proves decisive

Mikael Granlund eventually levelled the tie late in the third period following a patient setup by Jackson LaCombe.

However, the Ducks were ultimately unable to replicate their lethal power-play form from the first round, where they had converted eight times against Edmonton.

The Nevada franchise’s penalty-kill unit remained impenetrable, successfully defending four Anaheim advantages to extend their current scoreless defensive streak to 14 attempts.

Vegas were also boosted by the emotional return of William Karlsson, who stepped onto the ice to a roaring ovation for the first time since sustaining a lower-body injury in November.

The two Western Conference rivals will meet again for Game 2 in Las Vegas on Wednesday night.