Tag: New Jersey Devils Page 2 of 5

Beware Of Hole #12 On Las Vegas Golf Courses

On August 7, 2024

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

There’s a longstanding belief that many of the most important business deals happened on the golf course. For the Golden Knights, the business hasn’t actually happened on the course, but instead when Paul Cotter steps up to a specific hole.

I was actually on Hole 12. 12 seems to be the one for me I guess. Extension with Vegas on 12, hole-in-one on 12, and now the trade on 12. -Paul Cotter

So much so that it threw off his entire round, which he admitted wasn’t going well in the first place anyway.

I didn’t end up finishing, I think I was shaken the rest of the round. I was just flying around in the cart making calls. So, I might be skipping 12 for a little while. -Cotter

Cotter signed his extension with the Golden Knights on August 15th, 2022 after playing just seven NHL games at the time. He went on to play 131 games in the next two seasons with Vegas and established himself as a reliable piece up and down the lineup.

For whatever reason though, Cotter couldn’t ever find a place in Bruce Cassidy’s playoff lineup which may have been a reason for the eventual trade to New Jersey that returned Alexander Holtz and Akira Schmid. In the 2023 playoff run, Cotter participated in every practice and attended every game home and away but never made an appearance. The same was true for the seven-game series against the Stars this past postseason.

That shouldn’t take away from the accomplishments Cotter achieved while in Las Vegas though. The former 4th round pick is one of just two Golden Knights draft selections to reach 100 games with the team that selected him (Nic Hague is the other). His name is engraved on the Stanley Cup for his contributions in the 2022-23 regular season, and he was eventually flipped in a two-for-one trade in which Cotter, the 115th pick in 2018 was swapped for the 7th overall pick in 2020 and #138 in 2018.

Vegas drafted me and they saw something in me and now that I’ve shown and progressed as a player the Devils have seen that and for them to reach out and make a trade for me and want me is awesome. You want to go where you are wanted. They’ve put the belief in me and now it’s time to give back. -Cotter

Cotter will certainly be missed in the locker room. He’s one of the most personable players ever to wear a Golden Knights uniform and his competitiveness and comical attitude were always lauded by teammates.

He didn’t take long to prove that in New Jersey either…

https://twitter.com/paulcotter47/status/1807557310694539504

Why The New Jersey Devils Gave Up On #7 Overall Pick Alexander Holtz

By Ken Boehlke

On July 29, 2024

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: NewJerseyDevils.com)

On Day 2 of the NHL Draft the Golden Knights made a trade that came as a surprise to fans on both sides of the team. Vegas parted ways with Paul Cotter and a 3rd round pick to acquire forward Alexander Holtz and goalie Akira Schmid from the New Jersey Devils.

Shortly after the trade, GM Kelly McCrimmon indicated that Schmid would be the Golden Knights’ #3 goalie behind Adin Hill and a player they’d eventually add in free agency (that turned out to be Ilya Samsonov). That clearly indicated Vegas’ main interest in the trade was Holtz.

The former #7 overall pick in the 2020 Draft played all 82 games for the Devils last season and scored 16 goals.

We think that Alexander Holtz has got untapped potential that we feel we can unlock here to some degree with the opportunity. He’s a player we had tremendous regard for as an amateur. We’re taking a swing at his upside and what a change can do sometimes for young players. -Kelly McCrimmon

There’s no denying the best weapon in Holtz’s arsenal, his shot. It’s absolutely lethal and it’s the main reason he was such a highly touted prospect. Take a look at the highlight video from all of his goals last season and it’s pretty clear.

There’s a reason he was available via trade this summer though and not exactly for an exorbitant price. The Devils’ general manager and both head coaches (Ruff got fired in March) were not shy to share his shortcomings last season.

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS 3 NEW JERSEY DEVILS 1 (36-24-7, 79 PTS)

By Ken Boehlke

On March 17, 2024

In Game Recaps

Recap: The Golden Knights were looking to get back on track with an afternoon win over the reeling New Jersey Devils. The game remained scoreless through the first two periods but significantly picked up in the final frame.

New Jersey broke open the scoring 0:38 into the 3rd period. Two minutes later William Carrier recorded his first goal since December to even the score 1-1. Jack Eichel grabbed Vegas’ their first lead of the game deep into the period and the reigning champions didn’t let it go. With time winding down William Karlsson sealed the victory with an empty net score.

The Golden Knights record improves to 36-24-7 defeating the Devils 3-1. Vegas will next hit the ice on Tuesday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Puck drop against the Lightning is scheduled for 7 PM. (Recap by Jason)

Analysis: A sloppy game for the first 40 minutes, but the Golden Knights started to find their footing as the 2nd ended. An early goal gave the Devils the lead but VGK instantly pushed back very well to tie it and eventually take the lead. It wasn’t the best start to the period, but that’s the 3rd period they’ve been looking for. (Analysis by Ken)

Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs. New Jersey Devils at T-Mobile Arena.

NEW JERSEY DEVILS 6 VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS 5 (27-14-6, 60 PTS) – OT

By Ken Boehlke

On January 22, 2024

In Game Recaps

Recap: The Golden Knights were going for a four-game winning streak with an out-of-conference matchup again the Devils. Pavel Dorofeyev made quick work on offense scoring his seventh of the season 6:12 into the game. New Jersey battled back and tallied two goals before the break. After 20 minutes the home team led 2-1.

The Devils scored their third unanswered goal at the 1:37 mark of the middle frame. Six minutes later Jonathan Marchessault got Vegas within one scoring his 21st goal of the season. On the following shift Marchessault evened the score at 3-3. Chandler Stephenson and Nic Roy joined the offensive party scoring Vegas’s third and fourth straight goal. The Devils scored with 0:16 left in the period to make it a 5-4 Golden Knights advantage.

Midway through the final period New Jersey evened the score 5-5 poking in a loose rebound around Vegas’ net. The game needed overtime to decide a winner. New Jersey scored late in OT winning 6-5.

The Golden Knights record drops to 27-14-6 losing to the Devils 6-5 in overtime. Vegas will get right back to work tomorrow night in Long Island. Puck drop against the Islanders is scheduled for 430 PM. (Recap by Jason)

Analysis: Got caught up in playing the style of game the Devils prefer and it ultimately cost VGK. Puck management was a problem all night but they outscored it most of the time… until the very end. (Analysis by Ken)

Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs. New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center.

Vegas Versus The Mighty Eastern Conference

By Jason Pothier

On March 13, 2023

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

All season long the eyes of the hockey world have been on the Eastern Conference. Based on performance and deep lineups the odds suggest an Eastern Conference team will be named the 2023 Stanley Cup champion. Through 67 games, the Golden Knights are making analysts, computer models, insiders, and pundits rethink their position.

On Saturday, Vegas casually shut out the high-powered Carolina Hurricanes to record the team’s 20th victory against the Eastern Conference. Tomorrow night in Philadelphia they can add to that total.

VGK vs the Eastern Conference (30 Games)

.700 Points Percentage
3.45 Goals Scored Per Game
2.70 Goals Allowed Per Game
Shutout CAR, 1 Goal Allowed vs TOR
Jack Eichel vs East: 26 Points (13G, 13A)

Left on the schedule from the East are the Philadelphia Flyers and the Columbus Blue Jackets. Vegas will likely be a sizable favorite in both games. In 30 eastern matchups the Golden Knights would have a total of of 44 cross-conference credits. That’s 47% of Vegas’ 88 total points. Talk about flipping the script.

The message the Golden Knights sent to the East this season has been loud and it’s been heard.

They’re a good team. They hunker down in front and we knew that coming in. That got us behind the eight ball. In the 2nd period we weren’t very good, but we didn’t give up much. Just one bad bounce and it was a breakaway. Then we were down two. We had a good 3rd. We pushed, we just couldn’t get one by them. -Rod Brind’Amour, Hurricanes coach

Not only did the Golden Knights blank the Hurricanes, they also held the Toronto Maple Leafs to one goal back in October. On top off sweeping the Canes and Leafs, Vegas did the same to the Canadiens, Capitals, Lightning, and Senators in their two-game sets.

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS 4 NEW JERSEY DEVILS 3 (37-19-6, 80 PTS) – SO (1-0)

By Ken Boehlke

On March 3, 2023

In Game Recaps

Recap: The Golden Knights were looking for their second straight win by hosting the New Jersey Devils. Vegas jumped on the board first after Jonathan Marchessault scored an acrobatic goal for his 18th of the season. The Devils took advantage of a Brett Howden penalty and evened the score later in the period. In the closing minute of the opening period, New Jersey grabbed the lead and took a 2-1 advantage into the 1st intermission.

Marchessault added his second of the game 12:50 into the middle frame to tie the game. The game was locked at 2-2 after 40 minutes of action.

Early in the third period, Jack Eichel gave Vegas the lead by slipping the puck through Akira Schmid’s pads. New Jersey found the equalizer late in the period forcing overtime. The Devils took all nine shots in overtime, but goalie Adin Hill stood on his head frustrating New Jersey. Shea Theodore ended the game in the fourth round of shootout, giving Vegas two more points.

The Golden Knights’ record improves to 37-19-6 defeating the Devils 4-3. Vegas will conclude their homestand on Sunday as they welcome in the Montreal Canadiens. Puck drop against the Canadiens is scheduled for 3 PM.(Recap by Jason)

Analysis: The Golden Knights were not the better team on this night. They got outskated by a wide margin in the 1st period and fortunately exited down just one. They played much better in the 2nd and a bit better in the 3rd, but then overtime was an abomination. In the end, sometimes all that matters in the game of hockey is the guy between the pipes. Adin Hill put in an absolute masterclass and stole two points for the Golden Knights. (Analysis by Ken)

https://t.co/CrSghAh8RC
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) March 4, 2023

Upcoming stories from the Vegas Golden Knights vs. New Jersey Devils at T-Mobile Arena.

Special Teams Cost Vegas In New Jersey

By Jason Pothier

On January 25, 2023

In Game Analysis

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

Last night the Golden Knights lost a gut-wrenching 3-2 overtime final to the New Jersey Devils. However, there’s an argument to be made that the game was lost with 10:26 in the 3rd period. Up to that point, the Golden Knights were leading 2-1 and controlled the game with strong 5-on-5 play. With ten minutes to go, New Jersey’s Brendan Smith spoiled the flow by hooking Jack Eichel and sending Vegas to the power play.

Five-on-five we did a lot of what we asked. What let us down today was probably our power play. We didn’t generate nearly enough in terms of extending the lead. We have to find a way to generate more. That’s where I thought we could have grabbed another goal for comfort. -Bruce Cassidy

Had the Golden Knights scored on their lone 3rd period power play the outcome likely would’ve changed. Cassidy’s team failed to extend their lead and barely challenged goaltender Vitek Vanecek. Instead of closing the door on New Jersey, Vegas mustered two low-percentage shots during a crucial 3rd period power play. Not only did the score remain the same but VGK’s listless PP gave life back to a dangerous Devils offense.

New Jersey coach Lindy Ruff had a sense his team would get another chance after Vegas’ ill-fated man advantage.

You have to stay around in games. You look for that opportunity. You know you are going to get two or three opportunities. If you stay with the program, you’re looking for the opportunities. In a 2-1 game we got rewarded by a 6-on-5 goal and then we finally got our power play opportunity in overtime. -Lindy Ruff, NJD coach

All combined, Vegas recorded three shots on net in four power play minutes. To make it worse, none of those attempts came from power play specialists Jack Eichel, Phil Kessel, Alex Pietrangelo, or Chandler Stephenson. Vegas generated just six total shot attempts in their six minutes of power play time and mustered up just 0.63 expected goals.

We gave up some big chances on some careless puck play. We could’ve developed more speed. We weren’t crisp with some of our passing and some of our rush execution. We turned some pucks over in our zone that we’ve been good with. Those were plays were Vitek had to make some huge saves for us. -Ruff, NJD coach

An additional moment Cassidy left out was the poorly timed tripping penalty committed by Ben Hutton in the overtime. Unfortunately, those are the risks a team faces when forced to shift a depth defenseman in a 3-on-3 situation. Don’t get me wrong, Hutton’s 2nd period dart earned him more ice time. However, he was overmatched in overtime.

Last shot was PK coverage. We thought we had a loose puck situation so we left the good ice and it squirts out. -Cassidy

Overall, the Golden Knights missed out on a golden opportunity but the team can take some positives away from their OT loss. Vegas overcame a 2nd period deficit, earned a point against a quality opponent, and thankfully gifted a point to an out-of-conference team. At this stage in the season every point exchange matters.