ESPN News Services11:10 PM ET2 Minute Read
LAS VEGAS — Jonathan Quick didn’t have the fiercest debut, but he did enough to earn his first win with the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday in a 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens.
Quick, a two-time Stanley Cup champion who was acquired by the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday — two days after being traded from the Los Angeles Kings — had 25 saves in the win.
“I felt pretty comfortable from the start,” Quick said. “Obviously a different environment, a different jersey, a different color, but once you’re out there you just try to play hockey.”
Quick, who knows the Vegas environment all too well as an opponent, was warmly greeted by fans as he led the Golden Knights onto the ice before the game.
“It’s fun to play in,” Quick said. “These fans are amazing, we’ve known that since day one. Definitely a warm welcome and I enjoyed that.”
Where Quick, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, fits into coach Bruce Cassidy’s plans for the remainder of the regular season and into the postseason remains to be seen. He could work his way up to a starting role or be a backup like he was in Los Angeles this season. But after this tumultuous week, the veteran will be ready for anything that comes his way.
“I’m a goalie,” Quick said, “so stop the puck, try to win.”
Ivan Barbashev, another Las Vegas acquisition, scored twice, and Shea Theodore and Reilly Smith also contributed to Vegas’ win.
Barbashev is very comfortable in front of the net, and there the striker twice found himself with the puck on his racquet. He made the best of it.
“I think you’re going to see a lot more of that,” Cassidy said. “That’s where he goes, that’s where he hangs out. He’s comfortable there, right in front of the net. He was willing to use his feet, his racquet, anything necessary.”
Mike Matheson, Alex Belzile and Rafael Harvey-Pinard scored for Montreal, which lost its third straight loss to end a four-game journey. Jake Allen had 24 saves.
“I never feel like we’re out,” said Martin St. Louis, Montreal coach. “The good thing (today) was that we were only two down (after the first half). It could have been a lot worse. I know we have the kind of game that we can come back.”
The Golden Knights led 3-0 early in the third period, but Montreal’s Mike Matheson scored 2:04 to put the Canadiens on the board. It was Matheson’s fifth goal of the season.
Vegas restored their three-goal lead when Barbashev – who was acquired from St. Louis last Sunday – scored his second game and 12th of the season at 7:44 a.m.
Belzile pulled the Canadians back to two just 23 seconds later with his second of the season.
Montreal drew another 35 seconds later to 4-3 when Harvey-Pinard took a pass from Jesse Ylonen from behind the net to beat Quick for his eighth.
The Golden Knights will open a five-game road trip against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.