Defense Adding Another Layer Of Offense For Vegas

On Tuesday night, the Golden Knights recorded 37 shots on goal in their 5-2 opening night victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. It was the most SOG for Vegas in a season debut since 2022, and the 2nd most in an opener ever. Shockingly, Vegas landed 51 shots on opening night in the 2022-23 campaign. Mr. Jack “please shoot more” Eichel registered an astounding seven shots on goal that evening. This season, Eichel has started off with two shots and a 50% shooting percentage.

However, it wasn’t only Vegas’ forwards creating shooting chances on Tuesday night; VGK’s defensemen also got in on the action against the Blackhawks. The Golden Knights received 11 shots from the blueline, including five from Rasmus Andersson and Noah Hanifin. Only Trevor Connelly, Tomas Hertl and Mitch Marner exceeded 3 SOG in Game 1 of 84. Heck, even Jeremy Lauzon took three shots on Chicago’s net. If coach Ryan Craig drew up a game plan that called for more blueline shots, he got it from his group of six.

Offensive group. Just kind of getting pucks through. Nabber did a great job tonight, obviously Hanny with the big goal. Good to see guys getting on the board early. – Shea Theodore

As highlighted yesterday, VGK’s defensive minutes were evenly distributed among all three pairs. This allowed all six of them to be active on both sides of the ice leading to three of the six recording points.

Tuesday’s Shots On Goal By Defenseman

• Noah Hanifin – 3 SOG, 1 Goal, +1
• Jeremy Lauzon – 3 SOG, +1
• Rasmus Andersson – 2 SOG, -1
• Brayden McNabb – 1 SOG, +2
• Shea Theodore – 1 SOG, +2
• Parker Wotherspoon – 1 SOG, -1

In total, Vegas’ defense took 20 shot attempts against Chicago, with 11 making it to the goalie. The onslaught of shots from the Golden Knights’ defense alerted the Blackhawks that they needed to be worried about attempts up close from forwards and deep from blueliners.

On VGK’s second goal against Chicago, an elated rookie Trevor Connelly scored his first career NHL goal by being in the perfect position. Connelly got a stick on the shot from the point, causing a loose rebound which he tidily cleaned up. The play developed after D-man Brayden McNabb found a way to get s shot through four different Chicago defenders. The next goal was similar. McNabb received the puck up near the blue line, found an angle, and got it to the net. Vegas’ forwards were camped out underneath the Blackhawks’ defense all night, which allowed them to gather up the rebounds.

Of course, not all games will open up enough for 20 attempts from Vegas’ defensemen. There will be plenty of periods that the Golden Knights are pinned in their own zone and the d-men are too busy defending. However, after Tuesday’s successful scheme, it’s clear Craig and the other coaches plan on unlocking VGK’s abundance of offensive defensemen all season. I mean, 40-point player Brayden McNabb has a nice ring to it.