When the Golden Knights head East, fans back in Las Vegas need to maneuver their days to be ready for hockey hours earlier than they are used to. It was especially important to be on time to watch them play on this recent road trip because it did not take long to get the action started.
In the final game of the road trip the Golden Knights scored the game’s first goal 8:34 into the 1st period, and that was the longest it took them in any of the previous four games. They went ahead in St. Louis at the 8:05 mark, struck quickly against Carolina at 4:03, and wasted absolutely no time getting on the board in Tampa, scoring just 27 seconds into the game.
These early goals helped the Golden Knights to run off a four-game stretch in which they did not trail for a single second of any game. They did, on multiple occasions, give up the early lead they had built, but were able to strike back in all four games.
Scoring early has been an important trend for the Golden Knights this season. They’ve notched a goal in the first nine minutes of 24 different games this season. In those games, they are 20-3-1. That means they are just 22-17-5 when they don’t.
On eight different occasions, Vegas has scored twice in the opening half of the 1st period. They are 8-0-0 in those games including wins over Boston, Tampa Bay, Seattle, Winnipeg, and Pittsburgh.
Early goals help to keep the Golden Knights from heading into the locker room at the end of 20 behind on the scoreboard. When VGK enter the 2nd period with a lead, they are 23-4-0 this year, when they are behind, they are 5-10-2.
The .294 points percentage when trailing after the 1st period ranks Vegas 14th in the league. All but one of the 13 teams ahead of the Golden Knights are currently in playoff position, while just three of the 18 behind Vegas are set to play beyond April 15th. On the flip side, VGK’s .852 points percentage when leading after the 1st is good for 5th best in the league, behind just Tampa, Boston, Seattle, and Minnesota.
Scoring early matters, a lot, for the Golden Knights. When they do it, they typically win, when they don’t, things get much more difficult.
Jake
All valid points.
However when Vegas gets ahead they tend to go into the infamous “prevent defense” which leads to wins but is quite boring.
I will take the wins but do drift in and out of watching the games when Vegas is running the clock out.
The philosophy reminds me of Iowa football…snooze but don’t lose.
Jailbird
The point is to win. Period!
Hdbiker7851
Their prevent defense will ultimately get them in trouble. When they play aggressive 60 minute hockey they are tuff to beat. Getting ahead then trying to sit on it is not their games d gets them in trouble every time. Obviously they don’t necessarily loose but why even put themselves in that position. It is a receipt for failure in the long run and will probably happen when they need the win in the worse way. Let’s hope they can make it 5 in a row on front of the home fans Thursday night.
Jailbird
Well I have to disagree HD. I think it is their defensive style that will serve them well in the playoffs. We will see, won’t we?
Pistol Pete
I agree Jailbird. Defending is critical. Without looking it up I bet Boston is one the lowest goals against in the league if not THE lowest. You simply can’t defend effectively if you don’t keep your fair amount of the shots against from the outside. If you don’t you better have elite goaltending. Cassidy might carry that approach to a higher level than some contenders but all have to have a tight defensive structure or it will be harder to win a Cup. This is from three years ago but I’m sure it’s still relevant.
https://thehockeywriters.com/nhl-defense-wins-stanley-cups/
THE hockey GOD
i thought PP won Stanley Cups ?? Which is it ?
Jailbird
I never agreed with the statement that PP wins the cup. But also, talking about defensive play vs PPs are not related. The special teams are important, but the PK might be the more important of the two.
Pistol Pete
Maybe a year ago as I was becoming bullish on Dorofeyev’s goal scoring prowess on the HSK I came across this video report. Not sure if the reporter has actual scouting experience but his evaluation seems credible. Watching it now a lot of rings true today but that he’s improving in a number of respects. Most encouraging is the increased intensity and improved play on the boards and perhaps an increase in skating speed. When Cassidy commented during the preseason that Dorofeyev needs to get stronger I emailed the team suggesting the weight room. Here is the response I received:
“Improved player from a year ago. Bigger, stronger, more in the play. Encouraging.”
https://youtu.be/MkLkht77o88
Pistol Pete
As I have noted in the past, Dorofeyev when drafted was listed at 6’ 1” 163. Now he’s listed at 194 a gain of over 30 lb. He is bigger and stronger and playing with more intensity. His puck possession ability in the offensive zone and to get inside would be a good fit with Eichel, however Marchy has been doing well enough with Eichel that I would not expect Cassidy to move him back down with Smith and Karlsson but it is possible. I realize we are a scant two games in with Dorofeyev since his return and there remains a long ways for him to go, just nice to have another young forward in addition to Cotter. Very different players.
THE hockey GOD
PP
you have a propensity to hop on every new shiny object that flashes. You were on the Russian D man wagon too. Where is he now ?
Let’s see how he does against real NHL teams, also NHL “listings” have been known to lie.
Pistol Pete
Miromanov you mean? He’s stuck over in Henderson getting his 3/4 point a game. No room for him over here. What else is new? Did you watch the video and learn anything? I am a wishful thinker, everybody knows that, but then there is good reason to be when a 22 year-old forward is showing the potential to be top six. This roster is not getting any younger.
Brisson holding his own over there. Nothing earth shattering but 36 pts (14 G/22 A) in 53 games (.68 pts/game) is decent. The AHL is a tough league. Not all that different from the NHL.
Pistol Pete
Lukas Cormier doing very well as a Cale Makar-sized D. 33 pts (9 G/24 A) in 53 games (.62 pts/game).