LAS VEGAS – Pavel Dorofeev and Shea Theodore scored in Tuesday night's shootout to lead the Golden Knights. Carter HartThe expected debut turned out to be a success, with Vegas winning 4–3 over the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Golden Knights went 1-8 in games decided after regulation.
Braden Bowman forced overtime for the Golden Knights when he grabbed his rebound with 2:28 left in the third period.
Bowman and Ivan Barbashev each had a goal and an assist. Ben Hutton also scored a goal and Theodore had two assists. Hart stopped 27 shots, including six in overtime.
Tyler Bertuzzi had a goal and an assist for the Blackhawks, and Connor Bedard and Oliver Moore also scored. Spencer Knight made 25 saves.
It was Hart's first NHL appearance in nearly two years since he played for Philadelphia. In July, he and four other Canadian junior hockey players at the 2018 World Hockey Championship were acquitted of sexual assault charges.
The NHL opened the door for clubs to sign any of the five players, which the Golden Knights did on October 24, signing Hart to a two-year contract worth $4 million.
Hart's first start on Tuesday was backed by a crowd.
He gave up a goal on the second shot he saw, a Moore shot high in the right circle. In the second period, Hart came out of his box trying to clear the puck, but instead sent a pass straight to Bertuzzi, who scored. Bedard beat Hart with a pinpoint shot from the right circle for a 3-2 lead early in the third.
But Hart was especially good in overtime, and then stopped three of four attempts in the penalty shootout. He and his new teammates shared big smiles and hugs, and Hart received a long hug from Jack Eichel.
Blackhawks: Visit the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday.
Golden Knights: The New Jersey Devils open a five-game road trip against Eastern Conference teams on Friday.
