LAS VEGAS — — Brett Howden, Tomas Hertl and Pavel Dorofeyev each scored a goal and the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Anaheim Ducks 3-1 on Sunday night.

Ilya Samsonov had 22 saves for Vegas.

Troy Terry scored the lone goal for the Ducks and James Reimer made 29 saves.

Vegas improved to 3-0-0 through its first three games for the fifth time since joining the NHL in 2017. The Knights also improved to 24-7-1 all-time against the Ducks, including a 14-3-0 mark. in Vegas.

Takeaways
Ducks: Anaheim played only its second game of the season and appeared to be feeling the effects of playing the second straight night after Saturday’s 2-0 win at San Jose. Vegas defeated the Ducks 32-23.

Golden Knights: After allowing Terry to score in the first period, Samsonov appeared ready to make his debut for Vegas when he hindered Trevor Zegras’ breakaway attempt early in the second period.

Key moment
With the Ducks on the penalty kill, they were caught with only three skilled skaters when Isac Lundestrom lost his stick and couldn’t get the puck several times. Vegas took full advantage when Mark Stone took Hertl to the other side for a one-timer. The goal was the match winner and was Hertl’s first of the season.

Key stat
15 — Vegas has scored 15 goals in the first three games of the season, the most in the first three games of a campaign in franchise history

Next
The Ducks open the home portion of their schedule against the Utah Hockey Club on Wednesday, while the Golden Knights open a three-game road trip at Washington on Tuesday.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl