(Credit: NHL.com)
Last night, the Golden Knights fell to the Anaheim Ducks 3-1 in Game 2. As the series shifts to Southern California for Games 3 and 4, Vegas will need to address their lack of early game scoring. Through two Second Round games, it’s taken the Golden Knights 23:14 to record their first goal in Game 1, and 59:54 to score in Game 2. It’s a recipe that could set Vegas up for failure. While coach John Tortorella will preach getting on the board early, Vegas’ 1st period play hasn’t been the reason why the series is tied going into Game 3.
Well, I think we’re always concerned no matter what. Win or lose, coaches are always looking to pronounce the good things and work on the bad things. Yeah, we’ve got some things to work on. -John Tororella
The 1st period in both Games 1 and 2 against the Ducks hasn’t been perfect by any means for the Golden Knights. First, Vegas has been outshot 24-9 in the two opening frames in this round. Secondly, the Golden Knights have been forced to kill off ten minutes in 1st period penalties, compared to only four minutes by the Ducks. Shockingly, neither team has scored a 1st period goal through two games, which must be considered a small success for Vegas.
Most observers and statisticians would argue that the Ducks were the better team in the opening period of both Games 1 and 2. Lopsided or not, the 1st period hasn’t hurt Vegas in either matchup against Anaheim the same way it has most of the regular season. In fact, those dull, penalty-killing, scoreless 1st periods have aided the Golden Knights in the following frames. In Game 1, the Ducks were clearly frustrated by missed opportunities, and it impacted their ability to score multiple open net chances. In Game 2, Vegas had some opportunities early in the 2nd before the Ducks finally broke through.
(Credit: Natural Stat Trick)
In the end, the Golden Knights dropped Game 2, but it wasn’t due to a 1st period collapse. Obviously the recipe of starting slow, taking penalties, and relying on A+ goaltending is not one VGK should be looking to follow, but nevertheless, the game was lost in the final 40 minutes.
In all likelihood, the start to Game 3 should look different for Vegas. Heck, it almost has to. It’s the first and only time in franchise history the Golden Knights have taken four minor penalties in the first six minutes of a game, so eliminating that alone will cause for a better start.
Look for Vegas to clean up on their end on Friday by taking few penalties, getting more shots on net, and scoring in the opening frame like they did four out of six games on their way to eliminating the Utah Mammoth.
A VGK Fan
Hertl has to go. That 3rd line is useless when he is on. Put Reilly and Bill back together
larry
First things first, sit Kolesar and his bloated fake physical presence squarely in the press box and insert Reilly back in the lineup.
Second things second, and this may seem like flying in the face of what I just said….but…..every VGK player has to start taking the body and finishing their checks, doesnt matter who it is they have to be a physical presence, the only exception to that would be Theodore who hasnt had a bodycheck since the Eisenhower administration. any and every player can do it, they just have to buy into it, if they should it will bring them into the game and energize them.
Larry
Either somebody knows something….. or…… somebody knows nothing cause the Golden Knights are very small favorites to win the game tomorrow night!!
I would imagine though that there should be a large vocal contingent of VGK fans at the Honda Center tomorrow.
JB
There’s no mystery here. No matter who’s in the lineup. You got to play F’ing HARD! Period! Come the @#$& on! If they don’t put out an effort worthy of the playoffs, then I don’t care anymore. Sick of this half ass effort! These young teams are so fun to watch. Us? Not so much.
rb7
the only way to wake them up is a benching, just as Quenneville did by benching MacTavish and Moore in game 2.
scratch 55, Hertl, and K6 all for lack of performance, and the scratch of Hertl will get the attention of the veterans on the team, who need to wake up.