(Photo Credit: @GoldenKnights on X/Twitter)
It happened again. Almost the exact same game script as the games in New York, the home game against Chicago, and the one in Columbus.
No matter which team has the better run of the play, the Golden Knights keep finding themselves in a similar position where they need a late goal to tie the game. Recently, it’s been like clockwork when that goal comes.
Vs NJD: Game-tying goal at 55:49
At CBJ: Game-tying goal at 45:53
At NYI: Game-tying goal at 59:46
At NYR: Game-tying goal at 59:08
Vs CHI: Game-tying goal at 57:32
Vs OTT: Game-tying goal at 46:40
At MIN: Game-tying goal at 46:35
And these are just the recent ones, there were even more earlier in the season, including the unforgettable goal in San Jose.
Our team knows we’re never out of a game. -Bruce Cassidy
A huge piece of this is that the Golden Knights have done a great job at staying in these games once they give up the lead. It’s one thing to fall behind by one goal; it’s another to give up the next one and need to overcome a multi-goal deficit.
It is urgency. Our guys don’t like to lose so they’re going to be a little harder. Do we need a little more of that mentality early on? Of course. But that’s what happens through the course of a game in a lot of sports. As it gets closer to the end and there’s something on the line you tend to up the ante or at least our team does and I like that quality in them. -Cassidy
Recently, VGK have used the man-advantage to tie up games. Whether it was the power play last night or the empty net in both games in New York, they’ve seized the opportunity when it has arisen.
No matter who is in or out of the lineup, how it has looked up to that point, or even how well the goalie in the other net is playing, this version of the Golden Knights has the clutch comeback gene. There are a lot of characteristics that make up a Stanley Cup team, and we’re still trying to figure out how many this Vegas team has, but coming back is absolutely one of them, and this team has it.
Canada
Cassidy seems complacent with his comments . He didnt do a very good job of preparing the 1st line pp last night and with out Carter in net it would have been 4 -1 . I thought we were trending up , not so sure. They have to win with out Jack or we are 1st round at best
I saw Cassidy pull the 4th line twice in our end in the third on short whistles , The right call , he needs to make changes to the 4 th line and he knows it.
Emmanuel
Agree.
Not sure what he can do.If he bolsters the 4th line, the middle 6 is thinned out. Maybe load the top 2 lines and have the bottom six concentrate on checking? Also I suspect Eichel/Marner/Stone will be used on the PK & they will burn out in the playoffs from overuse. Howden & Saad shouldnt be in the top six if the teams healthy.
Vic
They may not like to lose, but they lost again. Living dangerously needing late goals in the NHL doesn’t usually work out well in the end. Get healthy and let’s go.
JB
Didn’t lose, got a point!
Emmanuel
Not only that but a +5 goal differential after 32 games is concerning.
16W-16L, nothing to be ashamed of but not a Cup contender.
Unless something drastic happens theyre trending for 1st round win & out.
DeezNutz
They hate losing but they LOVE to miss wide open nets!
JB
Tons of players miss open nets, even the superstars!
Emmanuel
I always wondered how open nets can be missed then I got seats next to the bench. Not only are these guys WAY faster than it looks on TV or upper level seats but its a herky jerky type stop/start skating. At that angle you can see why passes arent received & shots are missed wide.
Its hard to explain if you havent seen it at the NHL level, the College/Minor level the skatings slower and more fluid.
Pistol Pete
Trevor Connelly assigned to team USA World Juniors explaining why he’s been off the HSK roster of late. 4G/7A in 17 AHL games going back to the tail end of last season.
https://www.hendersonsilverknights.com/forward-trevor-connelly-assigned-to-team-usa-for-world-junior-championship/
Pistol Pete
From the previous article, my response to Ken’s response to DAK re: Saad and the team’s goal scoring:
Saad last season with Hertl and Dorofeyev played close to his career stats providing the basis for McCrimmon re-signing him. Both Cassidy and McCrimmon mentioned multiple times how good that line was. This year he does seem to have slipped. Decent motor but has lost his scoring touch at least for the time being maybe forever.
As for the goal scoring we have five 25-30+ players though Dorofeyev’s career sample is small plus he and Hertl are somewhat more weighted to the PP.
Eichel
Marner
Stone
Hertl
Dorofeyev
Admittedly an issue perhaps with 5 on 5 at least thus far this season but collectively this should be sufficient goal scoring power for Cup-contending purposes.
Pistol Pete
Hertl/Dorofeyev goals 2024-25 (ES/PP):
Dorofeyev: 35 (22 ES/13 PP)
Hertl: 32 (18 ES/14 PP)
Pistol Pete
Here’s the link to the PP goals:
https://www.statmuse.com/nhl/ask?q=powerplay+goal+leaders+2024-2025
TS
Sounds like player complacency
. They don’t turn on the burners until they HAVE to— like when they fall behind, as they have had to so often this season. NOT a winning strategy, guys!