Steven Stamkos scores goal No. 600, Predators win New Year's Eve matinee in Vegas 4-2

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Steven Stamkos scored his 600th career goal and the Nashville Predators beat the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 on Wednesday.

The Predators, in the middle of a season-long seven-game road trip, won for the 12th time in 17 games, including the third of their first four on the trip.

The win put the Predators (18-17-4) above .500 for the first time since Oct. 16, just five games into the season, when they were 2-1-2.

Vegas, meanwhile, lost for the sixth time in seven games. The Knights closed their four-game homestand with a 1-2-1 mark.

Now in his 18th season, Stamkos scored his 18th of the season and ninth against the Golden Knights since they entered the league in 2017. The game-tying goal was part of an unanswered three-goal spurt over five minutes that turned a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 lead for the Predators.

Nick Perbix, Reid Schaefer and Michael Bunting also scored for the Predators. Justus Annunen made 29 saves.

Former Knight Erik Haula, who is two games shy of skating in his 800th game, registered the 200th assist of his career on Bunting’s goal.

Mark Stone, who earlier in the day was named to Canada’s Olympic roster, scored his 10th goal of the season, while Ben Hutton added his sixth for the Knights. Akira Schmid stopped 15 shots before being pulled late in the third period for an extra skater.

Vegas forward Mitch Marner and defenseman Shea Theodore were also named to Canada’s team. All three of the Knights represented their homeland in the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off.

Nashville: Visits Seattle on Thursday.

Vegas: Visits St. Louis on Friday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL

Nashville Predators celebrate Nashville Predators center Steven Stamkos' 600th career goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Vegas Golden Knights, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Ben Hutton celebrates his goal against the Nashville Predators during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Akira Schmid (40) stops a shot from the Nashville Predators during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)

Nashville Predators center Steven Stamkos (91) celebrates his goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)

CLEVELAND (AP) — Donovan Mitchell scored 34 points, Darius Garland added 19 and the Cleveland Cavaliers pulled away in the fourth quarter to defeat the Phoenix Suns 129-113 on Wednesday to snap their four-game winning streak.

It was Mitchell's 18th 30-point game this season, third-most in the league, after he had only 10 points in Monday night's win at San Antonio. The All-Star guard — fourth in the league in scoring at 29.7 points per game — was 10 of 18 from the field, including four 3-pointers, and also had 10 rebounds and seven assists in 30 minutes.

Jaylon Tyson had 18 points and Sam Merrill added 16. Evan Mobley (16 points, 10 rebounds) and Jarrett Allen (16 points, 11 rebounds) both had double-doubles.

Cleveland has won two straight and improved to 19-16 after going 7-7 in December.

Devin Booker led Phoenix with 32 points, including 20 in the third quarter as the Suns rallied from a 67-54 halftime deficit to get within two late in the quarter. Dillon Brooks had 20 points, all in the first half, and Collin Gillespie added 17.

After Phoenix got within 91-89 on a pair of free throws by Jordan Goodwin, the Cavaliers regained control with a 24-5 run as Mitchell scored eight points and Tyson added six. Cleveland was 10 of 13 from the field while Phoenix went 2 of 10.

Cleveland's largest lead was 24 points at 125-101 with less than four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

Phoenix had an 8-5 lead before the Cavaliers scored 16 straight points, including four straight 3-pointers.

The Suns go into 2026 with a 19-14 record after going 7-5 in December.

Suns: Host the Sacramento Kings on Friday.

Cavaliers: Host the Denver Nuggets on Friday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn, center, shoots between Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (4) and guard Craig Porter Jr. (9) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen, right, shoots as Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams, left, defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Craig Porter Jr. (9) dunks over Phoenix Suns guard Jamaree Bouyea, right, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) passes around Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn (0) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) catches a pass next to Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks, center, forward Royce O'Neale (00) and center Mark Williams (15) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)