Golden Knights rout Ducks for trip to conference final | Highlights

The Vegas Golden Knights are back in the Western Conference final and they have the team that could push the No. 1 overall Colorado Avalanche.

Mitch Marner put on a show early in Game 6 and Pavel Dorofeyev scored twice in the third period to lift the Golden Knights past the Anaheim Ducks 5-1 on Thursday, May 14.

Marner is making his first trip to the third round and got the Golden Knights started with a between-the-legs shot on a breakaway, then made a seam pass to Brett Howden for a short-handed goal.

He’s leading the playoffs in scoring with 18 points and is joined by Jack Eichel (15 points), Howden (eight goals) and Dorofeyev (nine goals). Colorado has Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Martin Necas and overall depth with 17 players scoring at least one goal. Vegas won the Stanley Cup in 2023, one year after the Avalanche did.

The Western Conference final will start on Wednesday, May 20 at Denver's Ball Arena

USA TODAY Sports provided live updates on Game 6 between the Vegas Golden Knights and Anaheim Ducks. Here are highlights:

Golden Knights vs Ducks highlights

What's next for the Vegas Golden Knights?

They head to the Western Conference final to face the Colorado Avalanche. They went 1-1-1 vs. the Avalanche in the regular season.

What's next for the Anaheim Ducks?

They ended their seven-season playoff drought and upset the Edmonton Oilers in the first round. There are a lot of contracts to get settled, especially 40-goal scorer Cutter Gauthier and 2023 No. 2 overall pick Leo Carlsson. Both are restricted free agents. On defense, John Carlson, Jacob Trouba and captain Radko Gudas are unrestricted free agents.

John Tortorella declines to talk to media

The Golden Knights coach didn't hold a news conference after the game, according to reporters at the arena. He had enthusiastically greeted Joel Quenneville and the rest of the Ducks coaching staff after the win. The local reporters said the dressing room wasn't open to reporters, either.

Final score: Golden Knights 5, Ducks 1

The Golden Knights are heading to the conference final for the fifth time in nine seasons.

Carter Hart penalized

The goalie loses his skate blade making a save and takes off his mask to stop play. But that earns him a delay of game penalty.

Carter Hart shoots for the empty net

He doesn't come close.

Ducks pull goalie

Lukas Dostal is out for an extra skater with about five minutes left.

Golden Knights score: Pavel Dorofeyev scores again

Lukas Dostal mishandles the puck behind the net. Pavel Dorofeyev grabs the puck, brings it out front and beats Dostal before he gets set in net. That's nine in the playoffs for Dorofeyev. Golden Knights 5, Ducks 1

Golden Knights score: Pavel Dorofeyev restores three-goal lead

Ivan Barbashev intercepts a clearing attempt and feeds Pavel Dorofeyev, who scores his eighth goal of the playoffs. Golden Knights 4, Ducks 1

Third period underway

3-1 Golden Knights. Vegas will head to the conference finals if it holds this lead.

End of second period: Golden Knights 3, Ducks 1

The Ducks get one goal back on the power play after Troy Terry makes a nice pass to Mikael Granlund. They'll need to get at least three more goals to avoid elimination.

Coincidental minors

Nic Dowd is called for interference, but Anaheim's Jacob Trouba is called for embellishment. There will be 4-on-4 hockey.

Ducks score: Mikael Granlund gets needed goal

Troy Terry makes a nice pass to Mikael Granlund, who waits for a screen to develop and rips a shot past Carter Hart. Golden Knights 3, Ducks 1

Ducks go on power play

Nic Dowd puts the puck over the glass. Imperative that the Ducks score here.

Midway through second

The Ducks are playing better in this period and are outshooting the Golden Knights 8-5, but they haven't scored and still trail 3-0.

Second period underway

3-0 Golden Knights, who are 40 minutes from a trip to the conference final.

End of first period: Golden Knights 3, Ducks 0

It was the Mitch Marner show in the first period. He scored a between-the-legs goal and set up Brett Howden's short-handed goal. Howden has tied the NHL record with his third short-handed goal.

Golden Knights score: Shea Theodore gets power play goal

Shea Theodore scores from the point on the power play. Golden Knights 3, Ducks 0

Golden Knights score: Brett Howden gets short-handed goal

Brett Howden has eight playoff goals after getting 12 in the regular season. This one is scored short-handed and is set up by Mitch Marner. Golden Knights 2, Ducks 0

Golden Knights score: Mitch Marner scores a beauty

Mitch Marner has a breakaway and is stopped on an attempt to score, so he backs in and scores through his legs. Wow! Golden Knights 1, Ducks 0

Golden Knights vs. Ducks Game 6: How to watch, stream

Date: Wednesday, March 14

Time: 9:30 p.m. ET

Location: Honda Center in Anaheim, California

TV: TNT, truTV

Streaming: HBO Max, Siing