Tag: Tanner Pearson Page 1 of 2

Depth Scoring Must Come Alive In Edmonton

On May 9, 2025

(Photo Credit: @EdmontonOilers on X/Twitter)

Two years ago, when the Golden Knights and Oilers matched up in the Second Round of the playoff,s the prevailing story of the series was Vegas’ depth winning out over Edmonton’s. Leon Draisaitl scored six goals in the first two games, Connor McDavid had 10 points in the series, and their power play outscored the Golden Knights 9-2. Through two games in the series this year, it has completely flipped.

VGK have the advantage on the power play at 3-0. Mark Stone has two goals. Jack Eichel has four points. And yet, at even-strength it’s 9-3 in favor of Edmonton, and that’s why they hold the 2-0 series lead.

Credit to their depth, they found ways to score. We saw that in the LA series, I think Edmonton did a good job there too, that’s how you have runs. -Bruce Cassidy

As the series shifts to Edmonton, there’s no better time than now for this to change for the Golden Knights. In Game 2, they answered the question of whether or not they could slow down Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl with a more balanced lineup. But life gets even tougher on the road.

It’s 4-4 and I’m thinking, their top guys aren’t on the scoresheet, we need this one to go our way. But, it didn’t, they made the play at the end. If we can replicate the game plan against them. It’ll be a little tougher up there because there will be different matchups. Tonight we did a good job on them. Those guys you have to make it hard on them and make them earn every inch of ice and we did that tonight. They still got us at the end. -Cassidy

There’s no beating around the bush; from this point forward, Vegas’ bottom-nine (all forwards other than the top line) must outscore Edmonton’s. If they don’t, the season will end within the next 10 days.

Vegas finished the regular season with the most goals in franchise history and were just one off the most 5-on-5 goals behind the Cup-winning 2023 team. This team had the weapons to do it in the regular season, they need to come through right now in the postseason. Brett Howden, Tomas Hertl, Ivan Barbashev, Nic Roy, Tanner Pearson, and Victor Olofsson each had at least 9 even-strength goals this season, they’ve combined for zero in the opening two games of the series.

It becomes even more crucial with three of the final five games to be played (if we get there) to be played in Edmonton. The Oilers’ superstar duo will get better matchups and likely do even more damage than they have in Games 1 and 2. So effective offense at even strength will be needed from everyone. The Golden Knights have the edge in special teams, and there’s no reason that has to slow down as the series progresses, but 90+% of hockey games are played at 5-on-5.

All season long, VGK has touted their ability and willingness to roll four lines, to wear opponents down, and their seven players with at least 15 goals. No more getting outplayed by Vasily Podkolzin, Connor Brown, and Evander Kane. Time to step up, or else, it’ll probably have to be time to move on from a few familiar names down the lineup this summer.

VGK’s Hard-Working Chip-And-Chase Line Key In Deciding Outcomes

By Ken Boehlke

On January 30, 2025

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

It should come as no surprise that the most commonly used forward line for the Golden Knights this season is Ivan Barbashev, Jack Eichel, and Mark Stone. They’ve started 26 games together and have logged 305 minutes as a trio, making them the 14th most consistently used line in the entire NHL. What may come as a surprise though is which line ranks as the second most deployed line for VGK.

That would be Tanner Pearson, Nic Roy, and Keegan Kolesar.

The group first found themselves together early in the season against Los Angeles way back on October 22nd, Vegas’ 7th game of the season. It didn’t last long as William Karlsson’s season debut came two games later which broke them up. A few weeks later they were back together for a string of four games and then recently they’ve been together for seven of the last eight contests.

Their 13 games started and 131 minutes on ice together have them as the second most consistent forward line used by Bruce Cassidy this year. In fact, Vegas only have six lines who have seen more than 100 minutes together this year.

The stats will not jump off the page as they’ve been on the ice for five goals while surrendering just three, they are slightly positive in scoring chances created while slightly under 50% at shot attempts, shots on goal, and high-danger chances.

As a group though, they play an important role for a team constantly using a dominant top line. Pearson, Roy, and Kolesar have started just 32 of their 152 shifts in the offensive zone. They are expected to take shifts that begin either in the defensive or neutral zone, push the puck down to the other end, and give the line behind them a better situation to start in.

We have to have it and they have to be that line. They are the guys that have been there and done it, they’ve done it in a Stanley Cup run so they get it. In Dallas (last Friday), during that run at the end of the 2nd we needed that type of line. We need a couple of shifts to piggyback just to get the momentum back and get us off our heels and that’s what they are good at. -Bruce Cassidy

As a trio, they typically hold the keys for VGK success. When any of the three of Pearson, Roy, or Kolesar score, the Golden Knights are 13-2-2. That means they are 18-13-3 when they don’t.

In Sunday’s game against Florida, they combined for six points and contributed on three of Vegas’ four goals. Vegas beat the Panthers 4-1. Two nights later, they were held off the scoreboard completely and the Golden Knights lost in overtime.

We kept it simple. I think that was the message. Get pucks deep and try to make them make mistakes. -Nic Roy

We didn’t force too many plays. Played a chip-and-chase game and when we have our chances try to make plays then. -Tanner Pearson

A Pearson-Roy-Kolesar line is not going to strike fear in many opponents when they see the names on the page. Nor will it get the national media excited when they read the lineup sheet for the Golden Knights before a game. But, for this year’s team, which relies heavily on a top line and the power play, to have success that line must do their job and do it well. They do the dirty work, so Barbashev, Eichel, Stone, Hertl, Karlsson, Dorofeyev, and everyone else can do the fun stuff.

All Of VGK’s Recent Troubles Can Be Directed At The Stark Drop-off At 5-on-5

By Ken Boehlke

On January 25, 2025

In Game Analysis

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

Last night’s game, like many during this recent troublesome stretch, came down to 5-on-5 play. The Golden Knights potted a power play goal for the 8th consecutive game, but it wasn’t enough because they were outscored 3-1 at even strength.

Since the beginning of this 2-6-1 stretch, the Golden Knights have allowed 25 even strength goals which is the second most in the NHL ahead of only the San Jose Sharks (29). Meanwhile, VGK have scored just 14 which means a -11 goal differential, tied for dead last with Vancouver and Minnesota.

Tomas Hertl leads the way with four of the 14 goals, Pavel Dorofeyev is right behind him with three in the last nine games. Victor Olofsson has two, Jack Eichel two, and Mark Stone, Keegan Kolesar, and Brett Howden each have one. That’s it. No one else has scored an even strength goal since January 7th. Not a single goal from a defenseman, nothing from Barbashev and Roy who returned from injury, and nothing from William Karlsson before he departed with his ailment.

It’s frustrating. We’re finding ourselves in the losing column a little too much lately and we don’t want this to continue to go the way it’s going. Every night’s a tough game because no one is letting us off the hook it’s got to come from within the group. -Jack Eichel

Most of the damage defensively has come with five specific players on the ice (not necessarily at the same time). Vegas’ top pair defensemen, Noah Hanifin and Alex Pietrangelo, have suffered 15 and 14 goals against while being present for just five and six respectively. Dorofeyev has been on the ice for 13 even strength goals against the in the last nine games and Hertl has been out there for 12. Finally, Tanner Pearson has been dinged for 10 goals against while not seeing a single puck hit the net at 5-on-5 in his last 100 minutes on the ice.

Golden Knights Stock Up/Stock Down – November 9th, 2024

By Ken Boehlke

On November 9, 2024

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

We’re exactly one month into the 24-25 season and the Golden Knights have gotten off to a strong yet start again, sitting in 1st place in the Pacific Division at 9-3-2. VGK have been an offensive juggernaut scoring 61 goals in 14 games, more than everyone in the league except Winnipeg.

As the games are played and the goals are scored, opinions on players are constantly shifting. Let’s play a game of stock up/stock down on each Golden Knight compared to where we had them on Opening Night.

Ivan Barbashev – UP
Stock on Barbashev was fairly high coming into the season but it has gone to a new all-time high. 16 points in 14 games has him on a scoring pace he’s never come close to in his career and he’s not just a passenger on the top line. Not sure he’ll shoot 26% all season, but he’s done much more than just score goals.

Brendan Brisson – DOWN
Being passed over in the most recent call up is fairly damning. Even in his time with the big club he couldn’t ever seem to get going. Just one shot per game, no points, and a -3 in 7 games on a team scoring loads of goals is a problem.

Pavel Dorofeyev – UP
The team’s leading goal scorer has taken positive strides in literally every aspect of his game. Even the aspect he was best at, scoring, looks even better this season.

VGK Set to Make Defensive Adjustment To Help Young Wingers

By Ken Boehlke

On October 22, 2024

In Game Analysis

Photo Credit: Ken Boehlke, SinBin.vegas

The Golden Knights roster in 2024-25 is constructed quite a bit differently than it was when they reached the pinnacle of the sport in June 2023.

The main place that has been affected has been on the wings. Of the eight wingers to start Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final against Florida, just four remain, Mark Stone, Ivan Barbashev, Brett Howden, and Keegan Kolesar. Pavel Dorofeyev, Alex Holtz, Brendan Brisson, and Tanner Pearson replaced Reilly Smith, Jonathan Marchessault, William Carrier, and Michael Amadio.

The new group is much younger, more offensive-minded, and greener to the style of play Bruce Cassidy has used to lead his teams to success.

We relied on wall battles around here for years because we were very good at it. -Cassidy

That has not been the case through six games. After a troublesome road trip, Cassidy and his coaches poured through the video and came to a realization.

We’ve played a certain way and maybe we need to start stretching our wingers out a little more. Especially younger guys that are still learning their way on the walls. -Cassidy

Cassidy’s system typically calls for wingers to retreat deep into the defensive zone as outlets for defensemen on breakouts. It’s not uncommon to see a Vegas wing along the wall as far as the bottom of the faceoff circle. When the puck comes to them in that position, the center is expected to present an outlet to the middle of the ice. At that point, the Golden Knights back their winger to make the right decision moving the puck forward and eventually out of the zone.

New Look 4th Line Chipping In Offense In Preseason, Hoping It Continues

By Ken Boehlke

On September 28, 2024

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

The most active talking point coming from the players and coaches in this training camp has been a need to score more goals. Balanced lines, loaded-up D-pairs, power play adjustments, and a few minor shifts in focus in the offensive zone have been a few of the examples that have been cited so far and there’s still time for many more as the regular season approaches.

I think everybody was pretty curious and it was cool to see the shake-up of the lines coming back for the first few days. Then again, things change so quick and I’m sure everyone is going to play with everyone during the preseason. -Brett Howden

Maybe the most important group in helping the Golden Knights achieve that goal will be the depth group of forwards. There’s obviously an expectation for Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, Tomas Hertl, and William Karlsson to lead the charge, but if Vegas truly is going to not only replace all the goals that have departed but add to them, they are going to need the bottom six to contribute at a higher rate than they have in the past.

You’re seeing the goals come right now. We’re trying to find goals in different ways than we have before. Obviously, the top-end skill is going to take over for a majority of the game but for us, we need to find ways to score when we get into those tough games and those tough areas so we are trying out new things. -Keegan Kolesar

Through three preseason games, that’s been occurring. Every member of the first-choice 4th line, Brett Howden, Tanner Pearson, and Keegan Kolesar, has scored a goal thus far and they are starting to gel together.

Former Vancouver Canuck, Los Angeles King, Pittsburgh Penguin, and Montreal Canadien, Pearson, has made an impression on his teammates as he fights for a contract during his professional tryout (PTO).

Just how easy it is to play with him. He’s a veteran player and has been in the league a long time. I can still learn a lot of things from him. He’s always in the right place. A guy like that he’s working his nuts off every game. He has something to prove. -Kolesar

As the team heads into the final few preseason games, the focus on unearthing every bit of offense from this group will continue. So far, they’ve done it against lesser competition early in the preseason, let’s see if they can keep it up as teams start to play closer to real lineups as the preseason wraps up.

VGK Fans Buzzing For New Season After Early Preseason Win Over San Jose

By Jason Pothier

On September 23, 2024

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: Ken Boehlke, SinBin.vegas)

Last night, the Golden Knights participated in their first exhibition game of the 2024-25 season. Coach Bruce Cassidy dressed a combination of veterans, rookies, and players without a designated place in the organization to take on the revitalized San Jose Sharks. Besides the nullified outcome, fans are gearing up for the regular season on October 9th.

It just felt like such a long summer. Game 7 of the Dallas series seems like it was years ago. I’m just happy it’s back. I don’t go crazy about the preseason but it’s Golden Knights hockey and I’ll take anything at this point. Go Knights Go! -Jeff, bar patron

On Sunday, the Golden Knights tuned up against the San Jose Sharks and like clockwork took care of business. Whether preseason or not, VGK never gives any breaks to San Jose. After sealing their 4-2 victory, fans from a local saloon were pleased with what they saw from the selected number of Golden Knights.

One player in particular Vegas supporters are hoping steps up in 2024-25 is 2020 first round draft pick Brendan Brisson, who promptly recorded an assist against the Sharks.

I know he hasn’t quite broken through yet but I’m really looking forward to watching Brendan Brisson this season. He’s the one draft pick I’ve been excited for. Hopefully, this is his year. I am feeling optimistic about him and the team. They’re under the radar and I like that. – Dan, bar patron

It’ll be necessary for Brisson and the other group of depth players to contribute night in and night out for the new-look Golden Knights to be successful. Last night’s box score was a great example of that. Vegas received goals from multiple scorers in San Jose and left the South Bay with a two-goal victory.