Often, the most exciting part of a hockey game is the last few minutes when the coach calls the goalie back to the net for an extra attacker. One team desperately tries to hold onto the lead they worked all night to build up, while the other throws everything they have left to try and rescue it.
In Vegas games this year, though, it’s been boring, which has been music to the Golden Knights’ ears.
Through 12 games, the Golden Knights have played 8:16 with the opposing goaltender on the bench. Three times VGK have shot the puck into the empty net to seal the game (vs Carolina, at Calgary, at Carolina) while the other team has only landed four shots on the Vegas goal.
I think in general, even going back to last year, we’ve done a really good job with it. We’ve done a good job of not taking ourselves out of the good ice to go challenge a puck that we have no chance at. -Bruce Cassidy
The per 60 rates Vegas have racked up defensively so far are staggering, considering the added player on the ice and the game-state allowing the offense to throw caution to the wind and go all out. Extrapolating those eight minutes out to a full game, Vegas has allowed just 29 shots against and 4.35 expected goals against.
Think about that, if the other team played the entire game without their goalie, just trying to attack and score goals, the Golden Knights’ defense would still rank 21st in the NHL in shots against.
One of the main reasons for success has been the way the Golden Knights have been able to limit access to their own zone.
I also think through the neutral zone we’re able to force a dump or limit clean entries and that helps too because now they have to go win a puck back. -Cassidy
That’s exactly what occurred last night as the Red Wings were forced to dump the puck in time and time again and never truly had a chance to set up and attack using the extra player.
Cassidy pointed back to a game in December of last season when the Golden Knights allowed a late goal to Dallas as a turning point.
We made some adjustments to make sure we kept our forward a little lower, a lower triangle so we always had three guys at the net. We’ve kind of stuck with that for the most part. -Cassidy
So far, it’s four for four this season, and the way it’s looked, it’s been easy work.
Emmanuel
The blueline has been solid or better but is it them or the elite checking Forwards?
Eichel, Stone, Karlsson & Marner are top notch, Smith is average at worst. The overall team defense is spectacular which is why they can stick anyone in the crease.
DruBlu
Agreed. However, I’d think that while the team is so tightly defending the net during a desperate 6-on-5, a goalie still needs to be capable of employing some elite focus to see beyond all the traffic and thwart any pucks that do happen to make it through, and Schmiddy was just what the medieval alchemist ordered last night.
So, maybe not ANY goaltender, but perhaps the job does become a bit less challenging with that level of defensive barrier protecting the cage, like you suggested. With humility, I’m certainly no expert, so please correct me if I’m wrong.
DruBlu
…Sorry, that was meant as a reply to Emmanuel’s last sentence.
Emmanuel
Im with the “Goalies are swappable/dont spend on them” crowd, my 2 cents are as good as yours….
Tim
Mother of God 60 minutes and two 20 minute breaks equal a 1 zip victory which is better then a 1 zip loss. Now If you like defense that’s got to make you happy but if you like scoring it was a long night.
JB
Hang in there Tim. There wasn’t anything good on Netflix last night anyway! ;)
Emmanuel
Reception was spotty, which is unusual, im thinking of getting an outdoor antenna installed.
Pistol Pete
Kraken lose to Sharks 6-1 in Seattle ouch.
Pistol Pete
Elliott Friedman reports Hill out a few months.
Carter Hart here we come.
If Hart works out we really do have to wonder if Hill’s salary could be ultimately be displaced by Rasmus Andersson. It will take multiple moving parts for that to happen but anything is possible in this game.
Emmanuel
Theres a rumor Hanifin is being shipped out.
+ Hill may be LTIR?
Big fish incoming…….
Pistol Pete
Noah Hanifin has an eight-year, $58 million contract extension with the Vegas Golden Knights that includes different types of no-trade clauses for different parts of the deal. The first six years have a full no-trade clause, while the final two years have a 15-team no-trade list, meaning he can block trades to 15 specific teams. A full no-trade clause gives him the power to veto any trade, while a 15-team no-trade list gives him a list of teams he can block trades to.
Years 1-6: Full no-trade clause, meaning he can block any trade.
Years 7-8: 15-team no-trade list, meaning he can only block trades to 15 specific teams of his choosing.
knights fan in minny
I read that too going to Toronto Who are you going to replace Hannifin with would be a dumb move
Larry
As long as there is rumor mongering going on, maybe he’s being shipped off to Preds and the big fish coming this way is Stamkos who needs to find a reason to be relevant again.
knights fan in minny
We don’t need another old guy
knights fan in minny
Where I read the rumor was on hockey buzz which is like the National Enquirer of Hockey not too credible
Larry
Good analogy!!
knights fan in minny
I just can’t see them getting rid of hannifin Unless you’re getting something pretty good in return