‘Disgusting’ goal has Knights forward playing with high confidence

The last, and only time, Ivan Barbashev had a hat trick, the St. Louis Blues were blasting Laura Branigan’s one-hit wonder “Gloria” all the way to the 2019 Stanley Cup.

Two times in the final two minutes of the Vegas Golden Knights’ 5-3 win over the Utah Mammoth, Barbashev had a third goal on his stick. Both times went wide, with the second rolling inches wide to the right side of the cage.

Did he think he had the empty net?

“I sure did,” Barbashev said. “It just kept turning and turning.”

One day, that third goal will find the back of the net. For now, Barbashev will be given the honor of spearheading a second period that earned the Knights’ their fourth consecutive win.

Barbashev scored twice during a three-goal second period, doubling his season goal total in one game.

What’s more is this came in Barbashev’s second game on the third line with center Tomas Hertl and forward Victor Olofsson. The latter scored the other goal in the second and assisted on both of Barbashev’s goals.

“I’ve said it multiple times: You can play with anybody on this team,” Barbashev said. “Everybody’s skilled … everybody’s working hard. It’s been fun.”

Barbashev hit both ends of the spectrum on his goals, too. The first came on a flubbed pass from Olofsson that trickled to Barbashev at the backdoor for an easy tap-in.

The second was all skill, weaving through three Utah players and finishing in close for what has become a goal-of-the-year candidate.

“I just saw some space between the defensemen,” Barbashev said. “Just tried to make a move. It was nice to score a goal.”

Olofsson was more blunt in his assessment.

“It was absolutely disgusting,” Olofsson said.

Natural hat trick is on the board for *checks notes* Ivan Barbashev. https://t.co/X4BlsCHBoG

— Danny Webster (@DannyWebster21) November 12, 2026

This is one of the rare cases where it’s not a demotion from the top line. Barbashev had to be the one moving down in order to give rookie Trevor Connelly a deserved chance in a top-six role.

For the second straight game, the third line got on the score sheet and made an impact. Hertl scored twice in the third period of Sunday’s 4-1 win in Buffalo.

Olofsson, playing in his third game since returning from injury, has points in two of those three games.

“I think they played a fairly direct game,” coach Ryan Craig said. “(We) put them ins some defensive situations, as well, where they won some big draws.”

Craig added that there’s been “more of a directness” to Barbashev’s game and that’s led to him getting rewarded.

It’s also games like this that serve as a reminder that Barbashev won’t be on that line for long. The Knights would like to keep things as is to maximize the forward depth.

As deserving as Connelly has been for a top-six role, the top line with Connelly, Jack Eichel and Mark Stone has looked disjointed the past two games.

It’s not an indictment on Connelly’s play. It’s a too-many-cooks-in-the-kitchen situation. Barbashev’s direct game is what makes that line go most nights. And, maybe, Connelly needs more reps with the top forwards to feel comfortable.

Barbashev can play with anyone. He played like a true first-liner on Wednesday.

“We just tried to play simple and help each other,” Barbashev said. “I felt we had a really good game today by just simply playing simple.”

Contact Danny Webster at [email protected]. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.