Jack Eichel returns after 7 games; Golden Knights still fall to Blues

Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) waits for a face off during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche at T-Mobile Arena Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. Photo by: Steve Marcus

Jack Eichel returned to the Vegas Golden Knights lineup Friday after missing seven games with a lower-body injury, but it wasn't enough as they fell 4-3 to the St. Louis Blues.

The Golden Knights were dealt another blow when defenseman Brayden McNabb sat out with an upper-body injury sustained Wednesday against Nashville. McNabb's absence snapped his streak of 298 consecutive games played, which had been the NHL's 10th-longest active streak.

The loss extended Vegas' recent struggles, dropping their record to 1-5-2 over their last eight games. The Golden Knights have allowed four or more goals in five of those contests.

Keegan Kolesar gave Vegas an early 1-0 lead at 10:12 of the first period with his first goal of the season. However, St. Louis answered just 27 seconds later when Alexey Toropchenko scored on a rebound of his own shot.

The Blues took control in the second period, scoring twice in 58 seconds to build a 3-1 lead. Oskar Sundqvist and Justin Faulk found the net for St. Louis during that stretch.

Vegas battled back with goals from Mark Stone and Pavel Dorofeyev to tie the game at 3-3, but Brayden Schenn broke the deadlock with the game-winning goal at 18:27 of the third period.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.