LAS VEGAS — Saturday’s game was a litmus test of sorts for the Knights. A win would show that their recent month-long skid was just that, or if it was the sign of larger troubles looming for the defending champions. They answered as champions should, beating the Capitals by a score of 4-1.

The game marked the Knights’ return from a three-game Canadian road trip where they went 2-1, struggling against Calgary before pulling out a tough OT win in Edmonton on Tuesday and putting forth a dominant effort in Vancouver on Thursday. Saturday’s win was their second consecutive 4-1 victory and a sure sign that November’s offensive woes are behind them.

How it happened

The first eight or so minutes went rather quietly at T-Mobile Arena. That was until a slashing call on Tom Wilson put the Knights on the power-play that ended after a minute when Jonathan Marchessault snuck one into the back of the net to put the Knights ahead 1-0.

The Knights would stand pat on their 1-0 lead for the remainder of the opening period.

They got what would eventually be deemed the game winning goal nearly 8 minutes into the second period when Jack Eichel converted on a breakaway opportunity off the turnover to stretch the Knights lead to 2-0. Both Marchessault and Eichel’s goals were their tenth of the season, each a goal behind William Karlsson’s 11.

The Knights brought the 2-0 lead into the third period, but a Mark Stone goal off a brilliant dish from Eichel just 49 seconds in gave the Knights some insurance as it pushed the lead to three.

A garbage time goal was scored by Tom Wilson for the Caps with under four minutes remaining. Marchessault got his second of the night in the death on an empty netter with 1:57 to go.

Final Score: Golden Knights 4, Capitals 1

Next game

The Golden Knights take on the St. Louis Blues at home on Monday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena.