Nicolas Roy, Marc Stone and Paul Cotter netted third-period goals as the visiting Vegas Golden Knights continued their surge with a 5-3 win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night.

Vegas stretched its season-opening winning streak to six games, the longest by a defending Stanley Cup champion in league history. Vegas entered play tied with the 1985-86 Edmonton Oilers and 1920-21 Ottawa Senators for the longest such streak by a reigning champ.

Thirteen players notched points for the Golden Knights. Cotter contributed a goal and an assist, while Michael Amadio had two assists.

Chicago forward Connor Bedard, the top pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, gave the hosts an early lead to send the United Center crowd into a frenzy in the Blackhawks’ home opener.

With Chicago on the power play following a too-many-men penalty against Vegas, Bedard took a Taylor Hall pass in the slot and beat Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill with a wrist shot just 1:30 into the game.

Vegas regrouped for the tying goal just 2:35 later as William Karlsson scored on the man advantage.

The Golden Knights went ahead 2-1 at 7:30 of the second period when Jonathan Marchessault slid a shot past Chicago goalie Arvid Soderblom.

The Blackhawks responded 1:20 later. Reese Johnson redirected a Connor Murphy shot past Hill to tie the game at 2-2.

Things stayed that way until Vegas capitalized on a Blackhawks defensive lapse just 13 seconds into the third period. Brayden McNabb found Keegan Kolesar with a long pass, and Kolesar dished to Roy, who finished the two-on-one to put Vegas ahead.

Stone scored the game-winner at 13:47 of the third, with Stone converting in front after a wraparound attempt. Cotter scored his first of the season with 3:51 left.

Chicago’s Corey Perry provided the final margin, scoring with 15 seconds left.

Hill made 21 saves compared to 19 for Soderblom.

The Golden Knights improved to 16-3-2 all-time against the Blackhawks, including postseason.

–Field Level Media