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Sissons Looks Back At VGK’s ‘Just Get In’ Mentality

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On August 21, 2026

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: NHL.com)

Former Golden Knight Colton Sissons joined TSN Toronto on Thursday to discuss his latest move from Southern Nevada to Southern Ontario. After spending only one season in Las Vegas, Sissons helped strengthen the Golden Knights’ bottom six and added a strong veteran presence throughout the 2026 playoffs. In 22 postseason games, the former VGK center picked up two goals and six assists. It was Sissons’ highest point total in the playoffs since the Nashville Predators reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2017. For the most part, the Golden Knights got what they asked for from him for one season.

You just got to get in, and you never know what can happen. We really hit our stride heading into the playoffs. It was probably a bit later than we would have liked, and we had a coaching change late. Which gave us some new juice in the room and really motivated us to be our best night in and night out. –Colton Sissons to TSN

Sissons signed with the Maple Leafs this summer after spending his entire career in the Western Conference. The nine-year veteran played eight seasons with the Predators and one with the reigning Western Conference champions. The British Columbian native opened up about VGK’s surprising run and what spurred their rebound late in the regular season.

The former VGK’er was one of the loudest allies of interim coach John Tortorella when he was announced as replacement coach in late March. Sissons emphasized that the team had “bought in” and was “building our confidence back” after the organization fired Stanley Cup-winning coach Bruce Cassidy. The veteran voice spoke openly to the media about needing the change after Cassidy was cut loose. The club was in need of urgency and received it once Tortorella took the bench.

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GAME 6 – CAROLINA HURRICANES 3 VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS 0 (CAR wins 4-2)

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On June 14, 2026

In Game Recaps

Recap: The Golden Knights were facing elimination and needed a victory in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final to stay alive. Carolina struck first a few minutes into the game. The Golden Knights killed off two first penalties to hold the Hurricanes lead at 1-0.

Vegas began the middle frame on the power play but failed to find the back of the net. Late in the period Carolina scored to take a 2-0 in the intermission.

The Golden Knights struggled to create shots but had a great power play chance but Jack Eichel hit the crossbar. With a minute remaining in Game 6 the Hurricanes added an empty net goal.

The Hurricanes defeat the Golden Knights 3-0 and capture their second Stanley Cup trophy in team history. (Recap by Jason)

Analysis: It just wasn’t to be on this night. Carolina came out hot and Brandon Bussi along with a whirlwind of puck luck kept the Golden Knights out all night. It’s hard to believe after what we all witness for the last 2 months, but the Hurricanes were simply a better team. Tough end to a remarkable playoff run. (Recap by Ken)

Upcoming stories from Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Vegas Golden Knights vs Carolina Hurricanes at T-Mobile Arena.

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Unpacking The Golden Knights’ Lineup Puzzle Without William Karlsson In Game 6

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On June 14, 2026

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: @NHL on X/Twitter)

The Golden Knights will enter a do-or-die Game 6 with a massive hole in their lineup. William Karlsson left Game 5 with a serious arm injury and will not be available for tonight’s game at T-Mobile Arena. Head coach John Tortorella is playing his cards close to the vest, refusing to reveal which player will draw into the lineup or the modified lines.

VGK have played a lot without Karlsson this season. The star shutdown center missed 68 games in the regular season and didn’t join the Vegas lineup until the start of the Second Round against Anaheim. There are three options as a replacement forward to draw in for Karlsson, and unfortunately, none of them are like-for-like swaps.

The most likely player to play tonight is Brandon Saad. The 33-year-old veteran left winger has been Tortorella’s first choice option off the bench most of this postseason. Saad has played five games and stepped in during the Anaheim series when Mark Stone went out and remained in the lineup until the captain returned. His last game was Game 2 of the Western Conference Final on May 22nd.

The player most fans want to draw into the lineup is Reilly Smith. The original Golden Knight had an impactful regular season, scoring 16 goals in 69 games and playing all over the VGK lineup. He’s comfortable playing on the left or right side and has found success in both offensive and defensive roles. He started all six games of the First Round and averaged about 10 minutes of ice time during regulation. Once Karlsson returned, Smith drew out, and he hasn’t played since May 1st.

The final option is a long shot, but he has thrived in that role in his young career. 22-year-old undrafted Braeden Bowman burst onto the scene in November, scoring four goals in his first six NHL appearances. He’s a crafty right-handed player who does most of his damage extremely close to the goal. He probably would need to be used alongside a skilled center and winger to make an impact, but he offers much more upside than Saad or Smith. Bowman has yet to make an appearance in this postseason.

There are a bunch of different line combinations the Golden Knights could go with in the absence of one of their most important and versatile forwards. We’ll start with the lineup from the last time Karlsson missed a game, Game 6 of the First Round.

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Tortorella Channeling His Historic 2004 Tampa Bay Comeback Ahead Of VGK’s Do-Or-Die Game 6

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On June 13, 2026

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: @GoldenKnights on X/Twitter)

In 2006, the John Tortorella-led Tampa Bay Lightning were facing elimination in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. Previously, the Lightning had lost a hard-fought Game 5, and their backs were against the wall. Well, if you know your hockey history, you know that the 2004 SCF Game 6 hard launched Tortorella’s Hall of Fame career.

Our team understands the situation, and the pressure that goes with it, and they’ve experienced it before. We have got a good locker room. I trust the group, I trust all the situations that come at them. Do we succeed all the time? No, but I trust them. -John Tortorella

Much like the Golden Knights, the 2004 Stanley Cup champion Lightning were also facing elimination in Game 6. Tortorella’s Lighting won by the skin of their teeth, 3-2 on overtime. Nevertheless, they won and put themselves in a position to win a Stanley Cup.

Tortorella firmly believes it’s about to happen again.

We’ll be back here. We’re just going to do it in a different order. -Tortorella

The Golden Knights are as openly confident as their coach going into Game 6. The only difference is that the players are choosing to vocalize a little softer.

Last couple of games, a little bit of self-inflicted. We know what we’ve got to do to beat this team, and it’s a matter of going home, winning one game, that’s all it is. And hopefully we’re back here for Game 7. We’ve done it the hard way all year -Brayden McNabb

Undoubtedly strategic, Tortorella took the pressure off the players and all onto himself with a Game 6 guarantee. It’s a crafty tactic by a veteran coach to remind his players that he wholeheartedly believes in them. Also, Tortorella let it be known that Vegas isn’t sweating a big game. Not even an elimination game.

I’m going to leave my clothes here, that’s for sure. They’ll be in the hotel. -Tortorella

Tortorella’s boldness is what’s gotten him here. So, it’s unsurprising that he expressed his confidence in his players. But a guarantee is only as strong as the outcome, so the Golden Knights need to back him up tomorrow night.

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Golden Knights’ Elimination Struggles Meet Home Dominance

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On June 12, 2026

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: @Canes on X/Twitter)

The Golden Knights are now on the brink of losing their second Stanley Cup Final in nine seasons, but many refuse to give up hope, and for good reason. Well-seasoned Golden Knights fans have seen it all since 2018. They are well aware of the difficulty it takes for an opponent to win a playoff game in Las Vegas.

It’s been done only 20 times in nine postseasons at T-Mobile Arena. Obviously, the fans do their part by making it a hostile environment, but it’s Vegas’ lineup that can force a Game 7 in Carolina.

We’ll be back here. Just in a different order. I’m going to leave my clothes here. They’ll be in the hotel. -John Tortorella

In this postseason, the Golden Knights have played 10 games on home ice. They’ve won seven and have a goal differential of +5. Also, Vegas are a spotless 3-0 in overtime at T-Mobile Arena. All-time, the Golden Knights have posted a sterling 34-20 on home ice, and that doesn’t include the 7-4 record in the bubble as the acting home team. No matter how you slice it, beating the Golden Knights in a playoff game at T-Mobile Arena is extremely difficult.

The slightly concerning issues for Game 6 are the absence of William Karlsson and the elephant in the room: goals allowed. Without tossing all of the blame on Carter Hart, to force a Game 7, the Golden Knights will likely need to score four or more on Sunday. As fans were reminded in Game 4 and again in Game 5, Hart is having a historically difficult time stopping the puck through five games.

VGK’s Results Facing Elimination

  • 2018: Stanley Cup Final vs WSH – Game 5 (4-3 Loss)
  • 2019: First Round vs SJS – Game 7 (5-4 OT Loss)
  • 2020: Western Conference Final vs DAL – Game 5 (3-2 OT Loss)
  • 2021: First Round vs MIN – Game 7 (6-2 Win)
  • 2021: NHL Semifinal vs MTL – Game 6 (3-2 OT Loss)
  • 2024: First Round vs DAL – Game 6 (2-0 Win)
  • 2024: First Round vs DAL – Game 7 (2-1 Loss)
  • 2025: Second Round vs EDM – Game 5 (1-0 Loss)

Sadly, Vegas’ record in elimination games is underwhelming, but many of their players have been through the highs and lows of the NHL playoffs. Karlsson, Brayden McNabb, and Shea Theodore have suffered through six eliminations, and five for Mark Stone. However, all four have been teammates for the most postseason wins (63) and one Stanley Cup championship since 2019. It’s up to those Golden Knights to save their season on Sunday evening.

Remember, we’re talking about the team that made overtime losses cool again. The same team that turned a scratch-your-head type of regular season into a chance to force a Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. If there’s any team that can piece together an ass-saving home playoff victory, it’s the 2026 Vegas Golden Knights. In many ways, they’d probably have it no other way.

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GAME 5 – CAROLINA HURRICANES 4 VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS 2 (CAR 3-2)

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On June 11, 2026

In Game Recaps

Recap: The Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes faced up for a crucial Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final in Raleigh. In the opening seven minute of the game Pavel Dorofeyev gave Vegas a 1-0 edge on the power play. A handful of shifts later the Hurricanes answered right back. After twenty minutes Game 5 was locked in a 1-1 tie.

Carolina snapped the tie deep into the second frame to take their first lead of the game. Late in the period the Hurricanes scored to take a 3-1 lead into the second intermission.

Trailing 3-1, the Golden Knights committed a costly penalty which the Hurricanes took advantage. Dorofeyev scored his second of the game to make it a 4-2 Carolina advantage. Vegas emptied their net with a late game power play but couldn’t find the back of the net.

The Hurricanes take a 3-2 Stanley Cup Final lead by defeating the Golden Knights 4-2 in Raleigh. Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final is scheduled for Sunday at 5PM PT at T-Mobile Arena. (Recap by Jason)

Analysis: The Golden Knights finally figured out how to start a game better against a Hurricanes team that’s extremely hard to keep from running over you in the 1st period. The problem is that the dominance in the 2nd period vanished and it was mostly because of untimely penalties. Lauzon took a bad one, then after VGK killed that one, McNabb took another and the Canes capitalized. It’s hard to keep games from snowballing in Raleigh and that’s exactly what happened. Carolina potted another in the 2nd and then another penalty gave them 4-minutes to essentially seal the game. VGK are in a dangerous hole, and will now have to win twice in a row against a team that hasn’t lost two straight since January. This team never says die though, there’s no way they are rolling over on Sunday easily. (Analysis by Ken)

Upcoming stories from Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Vegas Golden Knights vs Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center.

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Golden Knights Need More Odd-Numbered Magic

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On June 11, 2026

In Stats

(Photo Credit: @NHL on X/Twitter)

Game 5’s in Stanley Cup Final series that are tied serve as gigantic opportunities. There have been 27 instances in NHL history in which the Final has been even after four games. The winner of Game 5 has gone on to win the Cup 20 times, or 75%. Road teams that go on to win Game 5 have a 5-4 record the rest of the way, while losing on the road leads to a putrid 3-15 mark.

The good news for VGK fans is that odd-numbered games have been Vegas’ bread and butter during these playoffs.

2026 Game 5’s
Game 1 vs UTA – 4-2 Win
Game 3 at UTA – 4-2 Loss
Game 5 vs UTA – 5-4 Win
Game 1 vs ANA – 3-1 Win
Game 3 at ANA – 6-2 Win
Game 5 vs ANA – 3-2 Win
Game 1 at COL – 3-1 Win
Game 3 vs COL – 5-3 Win
Game 1 at CAR – 5-4 Win
Game 3 vs CAR – 5-4 Win

The Golden Knights have won eight straight odd-numbered games this postseason and have outscored opponents 41-27. Vegas has scored at least three goals in all but one game and have reached four in six of the 10.

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