Brandon Saad breaks tie early in the 3rd in the Golden Knights' 3-1 victory over the Canucks

Brandon Saad breaks tie early in the 3rd in the Golden Knights’ 3-1 victory over the Canucks

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Vegas Golden Knights left wing Brandon Saad (20) and goaltender Adin Hill (33) celebrate after their team defeated the Vancouver Canucks in an NHL hockey game Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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Vancouver Canucks right wing Conor Garland (8) attempts a shot on Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill (33) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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Vegas Golden Knights and Vancouver Canucks players scuffle during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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Vegas Golden Knights left wing Brandon Saad, left, celebrates after scoring against the Vancouver Canucks during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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Vegas Golden Knights left wing Brandon Saad (20) celebrates after scoring against the Vancouver Canucks during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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Vegas Golden Knights center Ivan Barbashev (49) scores past Vancouver Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen (32) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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Vegas Golden Knights center Ivan Barbashev (49) celebrates after scoring against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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Vancouver Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen (32) blocks a shot by the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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Vegas Golden Knights right wing Victor Olofsson (95) skates around Vancouver Canucks left wing Jake DeBrusk (74) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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Vegas Golden Knights right wing Victor Olofsson (95) looks to shoot against Vancouver Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen (32) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill (33) blocks a shot beside Vancouver Canucks left wing Jake DeBrusk (74) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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Vancouver Canucks defenseman Filip Hronek (17) passes past Vegas Golden Knights right wing Victor Olofsson (95) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Kaedan Korczak (6) checks Vancouver Canucks left wing Drew O’Connor (18) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

By MARK ANDERSON

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Brandon Saad scored off a rebound from the left circle 18 seconds into the third period to put Vegas ahead for good and the Golden Knights extended their winning streak to three games with a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night.

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Vegas took sole possession of first place in the Pacific Division, moving two points ahead of the Edmonton Oilers. The Canucks’ three-game winning streak ended.

It was Saad’s second goal in five games since joining the Golden Knights. He had three goals in 29 games with the St. Louis Blues.

Ivan Barbashev scored his first goal since Dec. 14, Tomas Hertl also had a goal, and Brett Howden had two assists. Adin Hill made 32 saves.

Jake DeBrusk scored for Vancouver. Kevin Lankinen stopped 32 shots.

Canucks top-line center Elias Pettersson played after suffering an undisclosed injury while playing for Sweden in the 4 Nations Face-Off, but was on the ice for just 9:32 and did not have a shot. Quinn Hughes, who leads the Canucks with 59 points, missed his fifth game in a row with an undisclosed injury.

Takeaways

Canucks: Lankinen, who signed a five-year extension Friday with an average annual value worth $4.5 million, kept the Canucks in the game while facing 16 high-danger chances.

Golden Knights: Vegas is generating plenty of chances. This was the Golden Knights’ fifth consecutive game with at least 34 shots on goal.

Key moment

Hill made four saves — two without his stick — on one possession midway through the third period to keep the Golden Knights ahead by a goal.

Key stat

DeBrusk’s first-period goal was his 300th career point.

Up next

The Canucks play at Utah on Sunday night. The Golden Knights are at Los Angeles on Monday night.

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