Jason Pothier, Author at SinBin.vegas

Author: Jason Pothier Page 1 of 74

(Photo Credit: @_jkarsh on Instagram)

On Wednesday night the Golden Knights players were forced to protect themselves from questionable hits and after whistle scrums. It was a scene Vegas fans saw play out a half-dozen times in the Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers. Sure, the Los Angeles’ Hayden Hodgson isn’t Matthew Tkachuk, but he hit like a Tkachuk on Wednesday.

Hayden Hodgson absolutely runs over Mark Stone and the #GoldenKnights take exception
🎥: @ScrippsSports #vegasgoldenknights | #lakings pic.twitter.com/DMpcPrL6hB
— Missin Curfew (@MissinCurfew) September 28, 2023

The Kings ended up tying the game late in the 3rd period and went on to win in overtime. However, that wasn’t their only self-victory that evening. After a questionably late hit on Mark Stone, the Golden Knights appropriately erupted and jumped the career AHL’er. At first look, it’s a desperate player trying to crack an NHL roster and his open check on Stone naturally drew the attention of Kings coaches and others.

You need moments like that and plays like that too. We just looked at it. It was a very clean, good hit. Solid hit. And they didn’t like it and we scored right after and then it’s just one goal and I know they scored too, but I think scoring a goal in this building that kind of shows ‘okay, we can score too’. So definitely that helped and in the 3rd period we just wanted to slow things down and kind of stay calm and just focus on our game, that’s all. And that’s exactly what we did. –Marco Sturm, Ontario Reign head coach

Back-To-Back Winning Coach Highlights VGK’s Championship Net Security

By Jason Pothier

On September 25, 2023

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

By the time the Stanley Cup was handed over to Vegas captain Mark Stone, coaches and players league wide were scheming up ways to copy the Golden Knights championship formula. From defensive alignments, to deeper benches and undoubtedly goaltending efficiency. Some NHL teams have the right goaltender and not enough quality players. Whereas, others have the players but are unsure if they’re good enough in net.

“Look at Vegas. They used four goalies. Depth is an important part of success in this league. But depth in that position might be the most important for teams.”
— Mike Sullivan on the @penguins goalie depth. Not the only team referencing how VGK won the Cup these days. pic.twitter.com/0IbUWomI8Q
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) September 23, 2023

This week Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan referenced the World Champion Golden Knights in his training camp opening press conference. It’s no surprise the two-time Cup winning coach mentioned Vegas because years back he had back-to-back Stanley Cup winning rosters. Like Vegas, the Penguins won using multiple capable goaltenders.

Vegas’ finals winning goalie Adin Hill went 11-4 in the postseason after injured starter Laurent Brossoit recorded five wins and two losses. The same smooth transition occurred with the back-to-back Stanley Cup winning Penguins. Old friend Marc-Andre Fleury picked up his second and third championship rings playing his role in a duel goalie tandem. Which clearly caught the attention of Sullivan and other coaches.

Eichel & Draisaitl Agree Playoff Series Came Down To Depth

By Jason Pothier

On September 21, 2023

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: @_jkarsh on Instagram)

On the night of May 15th, 2023, after the Golden Knights eliminated the Edmonton Oilers in the second round of the 2023 NHL playoffs Jack Eichel and Leon Draisaitl walked into two very different locker rooms. Eichel was promptly drenched with celebratory champagne and puffed on Ashton Aged Maduro’s with his jubilant teammates. Draisaitl stepped into a locker room that was emotional, furious, and unsatisfied with how their season abruptly ended. In fact, it was in that moment Oilers captain Connor McDavid sternly stated that he and his teammates were on notice.

We’ve heard the story now from a few places, that he cleared all but the closest team staff out of the room and laid down the parameters for his franchise going forward. That the window for learning how to win was slamming shut, and the time for applying those lessons — and winning Stanley Cups — has officially begun. – Mark Spector on Sportsnet.ca

Now, both Pacific Division contenders are preparing for a new 82-game regular season with a mutual agreement on how that six-game series ended in mid-May. In Elliotte Friedman’s latest 32 Thoughts blog, Draisaitl noticed the difference of quality bench players on VGK’s side.

At the NHL/NHLPA media tour in Las Vegas, Jack Eichel said the difference between Edmonton and Vegas in that second-round series was depth. Leon Draisaitl conceded that, but added, “We couldn’t get to our top game…They didn’t make those little mistakes we made and that was the difference.” –Elliotte Friedman in 32 Thoughts

Pacific Division: Group of 8 With Only 3 Contenders?

By Jason Pothier

On September 16, 2023

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

It’s been no secret that over the past six seasons, the Pacific Division was regarded as one of the leagues least competitive. Let’s face it, for basically the entirety of the Golden Knights’ existence three or four teams were annually counted out of contention before the puck hit opening night ice. Vegas is the only team to reach the Stanley Cup Final in that span and the Golden Knights became the first Pacific division team to win the Cup since 2014.

Heading into the 2023-24 season, the division looks to play out the same way it did last year. Of course, it’s foolish to eliminate teams before the season begins but would anyone be surprised if Anaheim, San Jose, or Vancouver missed the 2024 playoffs? According to Sportsnet, they wouldn’t be.

Whether it’s a repeat from Vegas, a breakthrough for Edmonton, or something of a Cinderella story from Los Angeles or Seattle, might the 2024 Stanley Cup champion come out of the Pacific Division again? Might this division also house the team that “wins” the first-overall selection? –Sportsnet.ca

According to William Hill, the Pacific Division is expected to be conquered by the Edmonton Oilers (+180), the reigning champions (+210) or the LA Kings (+440) in 2024. The divisional odds are not much different from last season’s expected winners. Vegas came away with division with Edmonton and LA filling out the top three Pacific clubs. As you go further down the list, the prices drastically get larger, suggesting that it would be a major surprise if any team outside of the top three took the division.

2023-24 Fantasy Rankings: Where Do Vegas’ Stars Land?

By Jason Pothier

On September 11, 2023

In Stats

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

Yesterday, many Americans were glued to their TV sets or streaming devices watching the first Sunday of the NFL season. For some, professional football is a religion. They wake up, turn on the pregame show, grill up some brats, and most importantly set their fantasy lineups. The NHL is not known for being a mass fantasy sport but it’s widely popular among diehard puckheads. This week the best 2023-24 fantasy player rankings came out and several Golden Knights made the experts’ draft list.

Let’s start with the most desired.

#32 – Jack Eichel

While the championship center is ranked the highest on the Golden Knights he’s far behind some of his contemporaries. Obviously, Connor McDavid is ranked first overall but fourteen other centers were ranked ahead of Eichel. It’s not a knock on the World Champion but a compliment to the structure of the Stanley Cup Golden Knights.

Eichel had his lowest average time on ice in his career last season, as Vegas likes to roll four lines in a balanced attack. Given that, and the fact Eichel has missed substantial time in all but two of his NHL seasons, it’s tough to count on him for more than 70 games and 70 points. –Michael Amato on Sportsnet.ca

#92 – Mark Stone

Let’s be fair, dozens of teams would select Stone before the 92nd pick but in fantasy sports, points are the only figure that matters. The Golden Knights captain can do a little bit of everything, and much better than anyone else. However, he isn’t a scoring winger like David Pastrnak, Matthew Tkachuk, or Mikko Rantanen. Not to mention Stone’s past injury absences will likely scare fantasy GMs from drafting him any higher. If picking pockets were a statistic in fantasy hockey then that’s a different story. In that case, Stone would be selected much higher than 92.

The only thing holding Stone back in fantasy is health. His numbers are always solid but he just misses so much time due to injuries, and the odds of that improving as he’s now 31 seem slim. Don’t reach too high for him. –Amato on Sportsnet.ca

Call Me Crazy, But … (Jason’s 2023-24 Picks)

By Jason Pothier

On September 6, 2023

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

Here we go, it’s Day 2 of making crazy predictions (here are Ken’s from yesterday). I truly believe a couple of my predictions will come true this season. Especially, the one about Jack Eichel squaring off against Connor McDavid.

Call me crazy, but Shea Theodore will pass his career high in goals in 2023-24.

There have been theories floating over the past several seasons that Alex Pietrangelo’s presence impacted Theodore’s growth. It’s an easy assumption, considering Theodore was the Golden Knights’ biggest threat in the 2020 postseason. The Original Misfit registered seven goals in the bubble and 12 assists to go along with his breakout performance. Months later Pietrangelo was acquired and appeared to slow Theodore down.

The 28-year-old flashed some skill in the Stanley Cup Final and there’s reason to believe it will carry over to October. After playing in Bruce Cassidy’s system for 76 games, Theodore is in a position to flourish offensively. Look for Theodore to top 15 or more goals this season. Maybe enough to earn a few Norris Trophy votes.

Call me crazy, but there will be a goalie controversy at some point during the season.

What Makes Edmonton Believe They Can Eliminate The Reigning Champs?

By Jason Pothier

On August 29, 2023

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: TNT)

All summer long, continuous noise has been coming out from Edmonton. Beginning with Connor McDavid’s postgame decree following a Game 6 loss to Vegas. Also, deflated superstar Leon Draisaitl flatly stated it was Stanley Cup or bust for the Oilers. Now, Edmonton’s front office are vocally optimistic about a better outcome in 2023-24.

I feel good about the team. Obviously the depth is a question… What I’ve learned through my experiences, through the years, is that you’ve just got to keep with it. –Ken Holland, EDM GM to Sportsnet

Sure it’s common for NHL general managers to sound off about the way the roster was built. If you ask a first place team or a last place team, each front office will give the same response. Of course, they love the team they drew up. Eventually, the players and coaches will answer if the managers were right or wrong. That leads us back to the Golden Knights.

They have a proven Stanley Cup-winning lineup, and all but one significant player is returning. So what gives other Western Conference organizations the confidence that they will leapfrog Vegas in the 2024 playoffs?

We’re going to start with the seven defencemen who finished last year. The goalies are set. Up front, we signed Brandon Sutter this summer. We’ll go to camp, see what they can do, watch the waiver wire. –Holland to Sportsnet

McDavid Quickly Moved On After Lopsided VGK Game 6 Win

By Jason Pothier

On August 25, 2023

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

The Edmonton Oilers were leading Game 6 against the Vegas Golden Knights 2-1 after the opening 20 minutes. That would be the last time the Oilers would score in the postseason. Vegas recorded four unanswered goals, including a 2nd period natural hat trick from Conn Smythe winner Jonathan Marchessault. Adin Hill fearlessly frustrated Edmonton’s stars by allowing just 2 goals on 40 shots.

This year was different, in the sense that our belief was stronger. We competed with Vegas. We gave them a series. We look back at that Vegas series and it’s really the small, little moments. The small, little things that make all the difference in the world. We felt like whoever won that series was going to have a great opportunity to keep moving on, in what was a little bit of a strange playoffs with big teams going out early. It was just disappointing because the belief was there, and it was so high. We felt like the series was close. That we had a real chance. –Connor McDavid to Sportsnet

One of those stars that the Golden Knights contained is the most dangerous man alive … on a sheet of ice. After Vegas eliminated the Oilers, Connor McDavid had already moved on and immediately shifted his focus to the 2023-24 season. Sportsnet’s Mark Spector explained what occurred in the home club’s locker room following their painful playoff exit.

Conditions That Could Impact Vegas And Western Conference

By Jason Pothier

On August 21, 2023

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

This season the next projected superstar will be making his NHL debut in the same conference as the reigning champion Vegas Golden Knights. Number one overall pick Connor Bedard is expected to make an immediate impact for the Chicago Blackhawks, possibly realigning the Western Conference in 2023-24.

Sportsnet’s Divisional Changes of Impact

Atlantic: Bruins Lose Patrice Bergeron and Others to Retirement
Central: Connor Bedard’s Presence in Chicago
Metropolitan: Erik Karlsson Joins Crosby for Pittsburgh’s Last Dance
Pacific: LA Adds Pierre-Luc Dubois to Center-Stacked Lineup

Sportsnet explored four divisional offseason moves, including two that could affect the West’s eight postseason invites. Most believe it’s possible Bedard can get the Blackhawks closer to a playoff Wild Card position in 2023-24. While others have stated the best has yet to come from Dubois. There’s no question, Vegas is the team to beat but the West arguably got a little more competitive this summer.

As for the Golden Knights, there are several players or scenarios that could impact the 2023-24 season. Let’s examine three.

Calgary Looking To Chase Down Vegas After Miserable 2022-23

By Jason Pothier

On August 17, 2023

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: Ken Boehlke, SinBin.vegas)

While the Golden Knights were celebrating their franchise’s first Stanley Cup, other teams in the Pacific Division were painfully reviewing their failed seasons. Arguably one of the most disappointing teams in the NHL last year was the reimagined Calgary Flames. The Flames dropped 12 regular season wins and posted 18 fewer points in 2022-23 from the previous year. Let’s just say it was the complete opposite of Vegas’ championship season.

2022-23 Flames vs 2021-22 Flames:

Wins: 2022-23 (38) Regular Season Wins vs. 2021-22 (50) Regular Season Wins
Points: 2022-23 (93) Regular Season Points vs. 2021-22 (111) Regular Season Points
Goal Leaders: 2022-23 – Tyler Toffoli (34) Goals vs. 2021-22 – Matthew Tkachuk & Elias Lindholm (42) Goals
Point Leaders: 2022-23 – Tyler Toffoli (73) Points vs. 2021-22 – Johnny Gaudreau (115) Points
Goaltending: 2022-23 – Jacob Markstrom (.897) Save % vs. 2021-22 (.922) Save %
Team Offense: 2022-23 – (3.15) Goals Scored Per Game vs. 2021-22 – (3.55) Goals Scored Per Game
Team Defense: 2022-23 – (3.01) Goals Scored Per Game vs. 2021-22 – (2.51) Goals Scored Per Game

In 2021-22 the Golden Knights stumbled and landed three points out of the playoffs. Vegas lacked scoring, struggled to keep the puck out of their own net, and couldn’t stay healthy. As many excuses as they could give, Vegas left for the summer with a bitter taste in their mouths. The comments coming out of Calgary suggest a team prepared to erase last season’s lack of success and mimic VGK’s championship run.

SinBin.vegas

Praise Be To Foley, Vegas Golden Knights Hockey Website

Author: Jason Pothier Page 1 of 74

The Golden Knights Have Officially Become The Hunted

Back-To-Back Winning Coach Highlights VGK’s Championship Net Security

Eichel & Draisaitl Agree Playoff Series Came Down To Depth

Pacific Division: Group of 8 With Only 3 Contenders?

2023-24 Fantasy Rankings: Where Do Vegas’ Stars Land?

Call Me Crazy, But … (Jason’s 2023-24 Picks)

What Makes Edmonton Believe They Can Eliminate The Reigning Champs?

McDavid Quickly Moved On After Lopsided VGK Game 6 Win

Conditions That Could Impact Vegas And Western Conference

Calgary Looking To Chase Down Vegas After Miserable 2022-23

Points To Elimination

Receive SinBin.vegas Articles Via Email

Search SinBin.vegas

Archives

Praise Be To Foley

SinBin.vegas