The Colorado Avalanche may be the faster team, and they may even be the more skilled team. When the puck is in the center of the ice, the Avs have controlled both Games 1 and 2. Yet, the Golden Knights are heading back to Las Vegas with a 2-0 stranglehold on the series.
The reason for it is in large part due to their dominance when the puck is along the walls.
Through the two games at Ball Arena, the Golden Knights came out victorious time and time again when the game moved from open ice to confined spaces. It’s the one clear and obvious place VGK have the advantage, and it’s clear that was a focus heading into the series.
You see it all the time in these games, it’s little things that turn into big things. There’s not always going to be a perfect play, there’s not always going to be a pass that will advance the game up the ice, but there are always going to be little plays where you can get the puck out to the neutral zone and just reset. -Cole Smith
John Tortorella refuses to take credit for it, but it’s one of the most noticeable places of improvement for the Golden Knights since the coaching change. It’s highly unlikely Cassidy wasn’t putting an emphasis on it, but for whatever reason, what wasn’t happening for 74 games in the regular season is now.
No, no, no. It’s not me. It’s not me with that. They know the battles. We do talk about battles. Their team talks about battles. All teams at this time of the year talk about battles. Our guys know what to do. I’m going to tell you that right now. Our room is good no matter what’s going on. We have a good room. That’s what you rest on. At least that’s what I rest on. We trust them, and the biggest thing is they trust themselves. -Tortorella
It manifested itself in the biggest way on the Vegas’ game-winning goal, with a pair of wall battles by one of the most unlikely sources wearing a gold sweater.
The play began with a loose puck near the VGK offensive blue line. Pavel Dorofeyev challenged Martin Necas hard along the wall and pushed the puck into the zone. Then, as a pair of Avalanche players tried to sort out the play, Dorofeyev continued pressing and got his body on the Colorado clearing attempt. The puck bounced out to Eichel, who moved it to Barbashev, who went bar down to give the Golden Knights the lead.
Yeah, I mean I think that the whole shift was just kind of back and forth and Pavel and Jack just kept putting pressure on them and we got a turnover. I mean Pavel’s been really good for us. He’s a huge part of our team and he’s been getting better every single game. -Ivan Barbashev
That play was a microcosm of the first 120 minutes of the series. There’s nothing special about what Dorofeyev did, he was just willing to do it. Every time the puck has been near the walls, Vegas’ players attack.
Obviously there’s a lot of skill and determination involved but at this stage everyone can be really good on the walls but it’s about taking that extra pride in it. -Cole Smith
One team has taken the ultimate pride in it, and it seems to be in the heads of the other. When the going gets tough, the Golden Knights are stepping up.
That’s playoff hockey. -Tortorella
It’s not the only reason, but it’s a massive reason why the league’s best team is desperately searching for answers and why a club that couldn’t find its way all season is suddenly on the doorstep of the Stanley Cup Final.
Jeffrey Sutton
our last coach would’ve started Hilly and the season would already be over…
Annie Narie
Agree 100%
hdbiker7851
That is a very stupid statement as you have zero idea what Cassidy would have done. He preached heavy checking and puck control from day one as he knows what wins games and won the Cup previously. The fact that it wasn’t as effective as it now has everything o do with the players definitely not the current coach and if you read what Tort stated he said as much. Apparently, you forget Hart as injured and just returned. Hill was and is the Achillies heel of this team but unfortunately the only one available a lot of the time when he wasn’t injured so think before you post and safe the embarrassment.
Jeffrey Sutton
I’m pretty sure Cassidy would have made poor decisions which would lead to his firing (as evidenced by his poor decisions which lead to his firing). LOL
Jeffrey Sutton
Now I have to worry about all the gear I’m going to have to buy all over again through the NHL Shop if Vegas wins another 6 games this season.
Hdbiker7851
Cassidy was such a a poor coach why is Vegas standing in the way of his interviewing western teams. You have no idea what he would or would not do. Smarten up.
Jeffrey Sutton
I pray he gets hired by Edmonton. Having that team collectively hating their coach would be good for the VGK.
Vic
Didn’t think it would work out this way, but the Ducks and Utah looked faster than the Avs. Of course Makar is one factor but the VGK is also slowing them down. It’s obvious the VGK forwards are forechecking and backchecking like the Cup is on the line….which it is. Team is peaking at the perfect time.
Annie Marie
One player does not make a team we are missing our Captain and still winning if a team has to rely on 1 player than they are in deep
Hdbiker7851
Fascinating that we have all these posters that know what any coach would or would not do. .Clueless
SMH
It sounds like Big Chief Thunder Cloud is back to whine, moan, and piss on everyone else’s opinion and fun. Don’t you think that 3 mean-spirited posts where you insult people is enough for one day? Time for you to pull the stick out of your ass and put away the computer for the night. I know that you hate it when VGK does so well in the playoffs, because it lessens (but never eliminates) your opportunities to act like a bitch…
Jeffrey Sutton
amen
TS
HD, you are starting to sound like THG, the former site attack dog. Come on, man.
Pistol Pete
Gotta love the defend first work hard ethic that has permeated this roster. This entire team seems bound and determined to stay the course. Everybody is chipping in.
Jeffrey Sutton
the statistic that gives me the most confidence is 2+ third period goals in nine of our last ten games. that’s kicking the opponent squarely in the balls over and over and over again
Linnea Lund
Ken, thanks for your article. This is the best time of year.
JB
Hey guys, it’s alright to be feeling good right now. But talks of a sweep etc…. That’s not realistic. The AVs are still a great team and will not lay down. The Knights have to keep playing hard each game to make this SCF dream a reality! I’m excited of course, but cautiously . Let’s go boys!
Walt
presidents trophy winners?
remember the Boston Bruins in 2023?
2023: Boston Bruins, 65-12-5, 135 points
gee, I wonder who won the Stanley cup that year?
KnightWatch
Looks like the ESPN Crew stays the same (-Weekes)
Our Local VGK Pregame 4:30pm Channel 34 (The Spot)
The Point pregame 4:30pm (ESPN)
w/Steve Levy, Mark Messier, & the Subbanator
Game 3 VGK vs. Avalanche 5:00pm PDT (ESPN)
Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro & Emily Kaplan
As to which way (him in or out) we’ll have to hear the ESPN crew talk
about Makar ad naseum is still not official at this hour.
It’s up to Cale whether he plays is the >24hr last word per Bednar.
Nice OT win for the Canes might have a series there to who “we’ll” face.
We’re still the underdogs so that’s good.
KnightWatch
No revelation on Makar, per Bednar it’s wait and see.
Whatever it is will be.
So back to some BBQ .