At the end of the night, the scoreboard reads 3-1 in Game 1 and the series 1-0 both in favor of the Golden Knights. That’s all that truly matters from the opening game of the Second Round. But, Vegas is self-aware after their fourth consecutive playoff win.
They were the better team tonight. I thought as the game went on, we started finding our game, but we couldn’t find it completely. -John Tortorella
The Golden Knights were outshot 34-22, they had 10 fewer scoring chances according to NaturalStatTrick.com, and for a good portion of the game, they seemed to be chasing the Ducks all over the ice.
When you’re in between (series) and have a couple of days, especially heading into Game 1, it’s about which team finds its game the quickest and gains that advantage. We’re fortunate we found a way to win. They played well, and some of that has to do with them. But we have some things to work on, and I’ll leave it at that. -Tortorella
The 1st period was the most concerning for Vegas after Game 1. Anaheim was all over them for most of the frame, and if not for an excellent game from Carter Hart in the net, it could have been over after 20 minutes. Anaheim’s speed caused problems both coming out of the Ducks defensive zone and through the neutral zone, which allowed for many dangerous looks. On the flip side, Vegas’ offense couldn’t really get started up against a leaky defense because they weren’t finding ways to possess the puck for extended stretches.
I don’t think anyone in that locker room is very satisfied with that win. We know we have to be a lot better. We know we can play a lot better. I don’t think we got to our offensive zone game at all. We gave them some good looks that Carter made some massive saves on. But yeah, we know we have to be better. We know the series is going to get harder. -Mitch Marner
Most of the rhetoric following the game from the Anaheim side centered around the missed icing call that led to VGK’s game-winning goal, but they also felt pretty good about the game.
I didn’t mind the way we played, I thought we did all right. I thought the chances were there the whole game. We had a lot of pace. Both teams worked hard. It was a heck of a hockey game. -Joel Quenneville
Moving forward, the Golden Knights now have a unique opportunity that doesn’t come around often in the postseason. Without playing their best game, they still walked away with a win, and now, they have the chance to bounce back even after a win.
It’s a find-a-way league. We found a way to win, and I’m certainly not going to apologize for the win. I think the biggest thing is we need to be honest with ourselves. We’ll look at some of the stuff, and I think we have a better game coming up. -Tortorella
Game 2 offers Vegas a chance to improve their play without having to improve on the scoreboard. If they can put together a much better game, the result almost certainly will head in their favor once again. And, if they do it, it’ll make Game 1 sting even more for the Ducks, which is exactly what the Golden Knights should be looking to do.
Jake
My impression was that Vegas was deploying a “Rope a Dope” plan to wear down and frustrate Anaheim, especially with the lead.
With the game statistics now known and published Vegas can redeploy the “Rope a Dope Overconfidence Plan” by “admitting” that Anaheim outplayed them and “really” deserved to win, not Vegas.
Tim
You win some you shouldn’t and you lose some you shouldn’t thats sports in general. Were going to beat the Quacks and the way the goaltending was in that Minnesota / Colorado game I predict were going to the Stanley Cup finals. Oh coarse things have to break right and Eichel has to get his head in the game. In Toronto Marner was a playoff choke well what a change of scenery will do for a player.
Vic
The Ducks had effective hitting whereby they usually took away the puck after the hit, The VGK were getting tentative leaving their end and then trying to enter the O zone. It was obvious the effective checking was taking a toll. Hart stepped in and saved the game. Their goalie is having problems lately, and it would be nice to get more pucks on net with his type of stats.
23
Q—You know who “deserves to win”?
A—the team I am rooting for.
and I let the refs know about it all the time
(: (:
Pistol Pete
Always best to downplay a win you played well enough to get by saying you could have played a lot better.
23
Marner is now a center, a very good one, and he has erased the playoff questions from Toronto.
I guess you could say he has turned over a new “Leaf”
Pistol Pete
Always a threat shorthanded, on one PK shift Marner had not one but two rushes through the neutral zone.
TS
23, Chuckles!!
Pistol Pete
Part 1:
With roughly five minutes left in a 1-1 tie, Ivan Barbashev dumped the puck from behind the red line. Linesperson Bevan Mills waved off the icing as Jack Eichel and Jackson LaCombe raced for the puck.The Outcome: The no-call led to an immediate turnover; Pavel Dorofeyev intercepted the puck and set up Barbashev for the go-ahead goal just 65 seconds after Anaheim had tied the game.Vegas Victory: Vegas added an empty-netter to win 3-1, taking a 1-0 series lead.
Pistol Pete
In any case give Pav credit in playing through the no whistle and setting up the goal. Difference making #16!!!
Part 2:
Differing Perspectives:
The Ducks’ StanceOfficial/Analyst DefenseJoel Quenneville: Called it an “easy call” that was missed. He was particularly “annoyed” that Eichel appeared to stop skating briefly, yet the wave-off stood.
Dave Jackson (ESPN Analyst): Explained that under hybrid icing rules, the linesman must decide at the dot who would win the race. He noted Eichel seemed to have a step on LaCombe, who appeared to slow down.Jackson LaCombe: Admitted he thought it was icing but took responsibility for making a “soft play” at the wall afterward instead of playing to the whistle.NHL Rule 81.5: The linesman may wave off icing if they believe a defending player (LaCombe) could have played the puck before it crossed the line but chose not to.
23
when there is a disputed icing call the refs all gather in the officials crease and then decide to face off at center ice if there was no icing on the play.
That is exactly what they did. they faced off at center ice…after allowing the goal.
Thank you, Bevan Mills.
that calls for opening a Beverage, a tip of the cap to you.
A VGK Fan
Hertl needs to go. He only spent 10 mins total on ice this game. No $8m player should be playing that little, unless they suck. He just isnt it. At least bring back Smith or Saad. Turtle Hertl is slow and a defensive liability
Pistol Pete
Hertl was tied with Marner for most shots landed with three. I’m hanging in there with him for now. Things could change for him for the better quickly.
JB
Hey Pete. Didn’t you say a couple weeks back you were going to cut down on your number of posts?
Pistol Pete
So this thread I needed to post the icing piece in two posts to comply with the 250 word minimum. Together with this response to you that makes four responses to posts. Not stand alone posts but responses. So now you’re saying I need to both do fewer stand alone posts and responses to posts? To be honest I think more here than not find my ideas worthwhile and enjoy the positivity. I say hang tight and let Pistol Pete post away!
knights fan in minny
Maybe you should conduct a poll about that long winded king
TS
Pp, do not stop posting, no matter what kinda bitching others do!!
Seriously, people??? Moaning about a true FAN being TOO supportive is absurd!!
******Remember THG, people?? 9Short memories??? THAT guy totally took over this site, NOT as a FAN, but as the DISRUPTOR— attacking anyone and everyone here!!
Yet, ya’ll seem.to have the need to bash the single most loyal FAN here!! Yes, Pp Is an eternal optimist.SO WHAT??
Consider the alternative!!!!
Now, can we just cheer for our team, and let others do the same, for crying out loud???
Rrale
Wasn’t LaCombe who gave up an open net shot for a pass? Then LaCombe gave up on the puck and a soft pass after the no icing call? If so, he should have gotten VGK’s third star of the night?
I also am not willing to give up on Hertl. He does a lot of the important things that do not show up on the score sheet. Kolesar for R. Smith might work. Having two of the originals playing together may start something for them.
I still believe the Knights will take the series and have a good chance of winning the conference.
Pistol Pete
VGK now has 67 postseason wins the most of any team since the 2017-28 season one more than Tampa Bay.’s 66. Well done George McPhee, Kelly
McCrimmon and all the rest of the hard working diligent staff.
Hope nobody minds me posting that!
JB
Oh Pete you are something else. You are silent when they lose or play bad, then you can’t shut up when they win. Anyway. I certainly believe they didn’t play very well in game one. Hart saved the game for sure. They need a better effort if they want to go deep!
knights fan in minny
That’s right JB lay down the law
TS
STOP. Stop bashing other fans, already!!!
Just how mature is THAT??? JEESH..
Pistol Pete
JB buddy you must understand the coach and players downplaying their win is standard operating procedure. The PK was superlative once again shots were kept more to the outside overall and the two 5 on 5 goals were excellent even if the no icing call is disputed. A good win even if it was not their very best game. I was at the game. Both teams were hard to play against. Good goaltending on both ends. Hopefully tonight we outshoot them AND win!
McFly
Here’s some interesting stats:
– A Poster made 40% of this thread.
– In 1 Game alone, this same Poster has over 40%
of the total posts they made in the entire Utah series (as mentioned losses curbed that count).
– Astonishingly that still was over 340% more than the next poster.
– And a whopping 800% above the avg.
– Imagine if we don’t lose what the count could be!
Per Tortilla :
“We were not good,”
Let’s hope our changes out do theirs and Hart stays solid for G2.
knights fan in minny
Mcfly laying the smackdown
TS
Would it be better if THG came back and, instead of filling the site with HOCKEY stuff, as Pp does, THG kidnapped SINBIN again with his NEGATIVE ATTACKS on us all?? Constant badgering, constant BS aimed at us all??
Honestly, how old are you people???
GROW UP, ALREADY!!
Pistol Pete
Thanks for you support TS! I know you are not alone among the site’s readers when it comes to appreciating my observations, ideas and overall positivism. In an effort to placate my detractors I will try and post at least once following a loss. Myself and our older son are going to the game tonight (221-two sections off the red line towards the VGK shoots twice end-Row B-$153). We have decided we prefer the upper sections, though the lower the better, for the better birds eye view. Lower center is no doubt the very best (get to see both ends) but too much freakin’ money!
TS
Pp, I was an early ED teacher 30 yrs. The ONE thing that inflames me
most is picking on others, belittling others. It isn’t deserved or warranted. No apologies needed, Pp
I will.ALWAYS stand up for others.
And YOU are one of the good guys— you don’t deserve to be bashed for supporting the team.we ALL support!
CARRY ON!!!!!
Larry
A little inside information, the absolute best seats are in Section 223 Row N, no one kicking your seat from behind, and sit dead square at center ice giving an absolute perfect view of everything taking place in front of you!
knights fan in minny
Wow what happened to Stormy? She looks like an old washed up bag
knights fan in minny
Whoever this impostor is impersonating me you can *fuckoff Loser
Anthony
I’m very disappointed with Herl during these playoffs. Unfortunately, cutting his ice time hasn’t sparked a positive reaction the way it did for Doro.
I’m not in favor of trading him because when he’s on his game, he’s lethal. But in the playoffs, you don’t have the luxury of waiting. I’d like to see him replaced by Smith; it would help Wild Bill find his rhythm again and bring out the best in both players.
For Game 2, we really need to clean up the turnovers and stop letting them dictate the play; we can’t just keep playing on our heels. Hart was rock solid and our PK was great, but even then, we only won thanks to a controversial goal. (The rulebook says it counts, but let’s be honest—most refs would’ve blown the whistle there.) And I’m not forgetting that gift Lacombe handed us, either…
We’ll need to be much better. I just hope Torts makes the right adjustments.
In the meantime, the Avs look scary. Are they really going to sweep their way to the Conference Finals? I hope we get to face them! That would be an explosive series.
Pistol Pete
I am fairly sure tonight will be a Kolesar scratch: Hertl-Karlsson-Smith. Torts has to know Karlsson and Smith skated together here since the beginning of time but then he may value the physicality of Kolesar more than the superior playing ability of Smith. We’ll find out in a few hours if my guess is correct!
Larry
Should have been the case for Game 1 as well, but I guess their feeling was a physical presence was needed with Lauzon out, but as I’ve posted he’s more of a faux physical presence these days, plus we have the 4th line who are no strangers to mixing it up a little though have to say Kolesar’s penalty killing has been a pleasant surprise.
Anthony
I hope you’re right, Pete!
I really like Kolesar. He does exactly what’s expected of him: playing a physical game, finishing his hits, and defending well. However, I love the chemistry between Karly and Smith. I’d love to see them reunited on the same line.
You’re usually very well-informed, so I hope your prediction comes true.
Also, thanks for your posts, analyses, and feedback on this forum. I’m definitely one of those who appreciate your contributions.
I especially enjoy it when you give us detailed updates on the Silver Knights with player stats…
Go Knights go!
Pistol Pete
Thanks Anthony however my guess on Smith was wrong. No lineup changes: Hertl-Karlsson-Kolesar. Torts appears to want size on each side of Karly!
Anthony
I’m disappointed. Wild Bill is pretty fast, so putting him with two slow players makes no sense. I get the need for some grit and physicality on the ice, but not with Karly stuck in the middle of it.
That being said, I’m not the coach. If Torts thinks this is the way to go for now, let’s trust him.
JB
Let’s hope our boys play a better overall game tonight. I think we are the better playoff type team. Just give a 60 minute effort. That’s all I ever ask for. Get em’ boys!
Larry
Anthony, while I don’t want Kolesar in the lineup for the reasons I have stated, he is in no way actually a slow skater at all.
Anthony
I don’t really see it when I watch him skate. ‘Slow’ might be an exaggeration, but he’s definitely not fast and he’s going to end up dragging Karly down.
Larry
Just remember he is one of the ones that kill penalties, so he has to be able to move to cover the ice, he moves well for a big guy.
Tim
Pistol Pete is a diehard fan I don’t see anything wrong with that. If I read his post right were the tickets to the upper deck 153 dollar both him and his son or were they 153 dollars apiece. I wouldn’t pay 153 dollars to see anyone or anything call me old school but my TV is just fine to watch my hockey and baseball games. Big game tonight going up 2 – 0 sounds good to me. Give Tort Cudo’s what ever he put in the water the Knights can’t get enough of it. I wonder what’s going through Cassidy’s mind as he’s watched our last 16 games?
KnightWatch
Per today’s morning skate. Kolesar is still in.
No changes to the lineup
Pistol Pete
I want to thank again TS and Anthony for your support and Tim too!
Tim for me at the game is way better than TV not just actually being there but seeing all the ice and players continuously.
McFly
No one is bashing & belittling.
Why does removing a prior thorn (disruptor) allow a splinter to be acceptable.
People would like some -balance- is all.
When 1 poster fills 1/2 a thread it gets a little tiring.
I enjoy reading all opinions but -most- don’t enjoy perpetual posts.
Reddit’s vgk sub rewards for post behavior and might help balance the neuron spikes.
Also why the constant YELLING TS. NRN
Kindness is translated in typing as well.
Let’s see who’s change in strategy play out best for G2
GKG
Pistol Pete
Nothing wrong with a high volume of posts where the intent of the poster is to inform the other readers not just with opinion but with fact. Also with respect to posting volume there’s a distinction between creating a standalone post and responding to one.