Recap: The Golden Knights were attempting to take a 2-0 series lead with a victory over the Anaheim Ducks in Game 2. Vegas got caught in some penalty trouble early into the game. The Golden Knights killed off all of the Ducks power play opportunities and held the game scoreless through the opening twenty minutes.
Both teams traded chances to start the second period, but neither could find the back of the net. Eventually, the visiting team took the first lead of Game 2 midway through the middle frame. After 40 minutes of action, the Golden Knights trailed 1-0.
Anaheim took a 2-0 early in the final twenty minutes. Vegas had several quality chances on a midpoint power play but failed to get one into their opponent’s net. With three minutes remaining, the Ducks added an empty net goal. With seconds left in the game Mark Stone scored on the PP.
The Ducks even the series 1-1 by defeating the Golden Knights 3-1 in Game 2. Game 3 of the second round seven-game series is scheduled for Friday night in Anaheim. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:30 PM. (Recap by Jason)
Analysis: For a second straight game, the Ducks came out and smothered the Golden Knights in all three zones for the majority of the game. Carter Hart was crucial in keeping the game at bay for a while and the penalty kill once again rose to the occasion impressively. Unfortunately, when you try to trade water for that long, eventually bad things happen, and for VGK that’s exactly what occurred. They’ve been outplayed by Ducks in each of the first two games of the series and now have to figure it out in Anaheim and quickly, because if they don’t get to their game quick, time in going to run out. (Recap by Ken)
Upcoming stories from Game 2 of the second round series between the Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks at T-Mobile Arena.
- Is it time for some fresh blood in the lineup?
Ken’s Three VGK Stars
*** Mark Stone
** William Karlsson
* Carter Hart
KnightWatch
Outplayed…yes again.
PK stayed strong, Hart stood tall.
VGK decided to stay the course Ducks capitalized this time.
What a fitting ending to that play with a swap of the score.
I think we’ll see some lineup change game 3
Jose
We know this team is flawed. We’ve seen it for the first 75 games of the season. That poor play will still creep in now and then. If they advance past Anaheim, either Colorado or Minnesota would destroy them anyways.
However, I still think they can win this series and get by Anaheim. They will split the next two in Anaheim.
I’m focusing on positives.
1) Carter Hart has been outstanding.
2) The series is tied.
larry
I’m not going to get all bent out of shape about this performance by VGK, rather credit to the Ducks for the game they played.
Further I am going to go full glass is half-full rather than it being empty, VGK is fortunate to be in the position of the series tied, and perhaps the butt whipping tonight sends a message to the team, come to play on Friday and the memory of this game will slowly fade away.
I feel better now, Ive put the game behind me already.
larry
Take deep breaths in and out, relax, rinse and repeat, the sun will come up tomorrow and it will start being an early oppressive heat here in Vegas, but all is good, Vegas will show up on Friday and have the success we all hope for and take a 2-1 series lead.
Perhaps i have taken too many swigs of the Kool-Aid, but rather look at it from a positive perspective after the drubbing tonight.
knights fan in minny
Right on Larry That’s the way to look at the series positive attitude too many criers on here It’s tied One to one and they already have the season over too many whiners
larry
Thanks Minny, drubbings happen as its playoff hockey….we got absolutely blown out of the building against Colorado in 2021 in Game 1, its happened against the &^*^& oilers as well…its a matter of how you respond both internally and externally, mentally and physically….its 6:50 right now in Vegas so 24 hours from now the puck will drop and we will see which VGK team will take the ice, a team that is committed to putting forth a quality effort or a team that WILL be committed to finding themselves on the golf course in a week!!
VGK fan
One can only hope that that pablum can and will actually take place its certainly better than keep thinking about it and get eaten up inside.
TS
I sjre appreciate your optimism, Larry!! We could all use a lil more of that, me included. I’m hoping for that wakeup call Friday…
Pistol Pete
Pretty disappointing result. Like game 1 more O zone time more shots landed for the visitors (though a way lower shots landed differential this time). Rough night for Mitch. Despite some decent looks he was on the ice for both non-EN goals. Hart very good again both goals undefendable. Could have used a bit more puck luck on the high danger chances…payback for the non-icing call? At least the shut out avoided at the very end! Fabulous PK…again.
Interesting to see:
Barbashev-Eichel-Stone
Howden-Karlsson-Marner
Dorofeyev-Hertl-Kolesar
Might we finally see the Smith/Kolesar switch for game 3?!!
That’s a pretty good team they have over there I’m afraid. Probably could have won the division.
hdbiker785
PP – like I stated last game they were lucky to win and tonight their luck ran out. They haven’t played well enough, except for th PK, in either game and are fortunatee they are not down 2 zip. Hopefully they can get their shit together for Friday as the Ducks now have the upper hand with home ice if that is really a difference maker Hart kept them in the game with minimum help up and down the lineup. I wonder how those negative fans feel now who didn’t think he should have a second chance being hired by Vegas after the 2 year away feasco. On ward and up ward
DeezNutz
Ducks have been the better team for 2 games now. Very concerning.
This 1 and done chicken shit offense isn’t going to cut it. I’ve been a bit of a defender of Hertl thinking he will snap out of it but it’s looking more and more likely that he will be a giant boat anchor moving forward. You can’t bench him but I’m throwing his fat beer leaguer ass on the 4th next season if he keeps this up.
Fire Kolesar into the fucking sun I still can’t believe they picked him over Smith and even Saad. It’s time to sit Kolesar for the foreseeable future.
Hart once again was completely lights out and the team repays him by letting Ducks live in their zone all game.
Not even remotely good enough to win a cup I’m starting to really think that the Ducks are just a better team overall which is not surprising after this embarrassing regular season we all just watched.
If Ducks look like the better team on Friday this series is over you can’t let the pther team out play you 3 games in a row regardless of who wins. FIGURE IT THE FUCK OUT
DL
Great to have Wild Bill back but now is not the time to experiment and get your feet wet. I am in favor of him sitting and for Reilly Smith to return. He was much more in form and performing prior to this second round. Kolesar had a bad game but he will not be out of the lineup. That would take away too much muscle and our hits leader.
Rob S.
Wild Bill didn’t look bad when he finally got to play with Marner and Howden and didn’t have to drag The-Statue-That-Was-Formerly-Tomas-Hertl and the non-factor that is Keegan Kolesar around the ice. Also, sticking Dorofeyev with those two was puzzling and the result was what one would expect.
Again, we don’t need Kolesar’s physicality with the entire fourth line, Barbashev, and Hertl (if we must play him), as well as McNabb and Andersson on the back end that can and will hit people. We need someone with at least the semblance of offensive (or defensive) skill. I’d even be willing to look at Saad-Karlsson-R. Smith at this point.
Also, for crying out loud, if we *must* play Hertl, he has to be put back on PP1 (and take Theodore out). We have nothing in the bumper position right now and nobody knows what to do on the PP.
Leonard Wise
They are just their kill and Hart. The problem here is the talent on the other side is far superior. Truthfully, they don’t belong on the same ice as this team. The question is not whether they are going win this is how many games are they capable of winning maybe one more. One game I was willing to overlook then the same thing happens again. Can’t believe Eichel again a no show. Can’t fix what’s wrong here in a week. Reminds me of the Washington cup series we won the first game but things didn’t look right.
rb7
the Ducks came out with the Flying V, and looked Mighty good all night.
Teenagers Leo C and Sennecke completely outplayed the Vgk vets.
a lot of guys need to sit in the stands after that whooping, but 3 to start with are 55, Hertl, and K6
McFly
Can’t play the same (poorly) and expect the same result.
6 periods of the better team showed up this time in the final score.
As we all agree PK lights out, Hart the difference.
The rest is what we saw all season long from those who didn’t get -fired or hired-.
Will there be change for G3? Let’s hope or the end is near.
TS
And there it is
Can’t do the same things and expect a different result.
The bad habits of the team are hard to break, clearly harder to fix, in this short Tortorella rebranding/ restructuring/ retraining time he has had with the team.
Not Tort’s fault. I really like him. His fire and passion are a PLUS PLUS PLUS!!.
Oir boys are worn and weary
.Chasing the puck and the score game after game sfter game after game has caught up.to our boys..bound to happen.
I’m realistic. We honestly shoudln’t even be in the Playoffs– we got lucky when Torts came along, but too late in our season.
When it looked lile we’d miss the Playoffs, i called the AVS to win.it all, and if i was a betting gjrl, i’d be smelling the MONEY right now! And, the great thing us Nick Roy, atbjust 29 yrs old, may very well have NOT ONE, but TWO Lord Stanleys in his bag!! Some players spend their entire careers chasing Stanley with no success!! Very proud of Roy!!
TS
Sorry, 5 am spellling is sub- par…
FG
Bring back the five forward power play. VGK will not win the series until the PP success returns.
Bring Saad and Smith back. Their speed is needed.
Kolesar is useless and has taken a terrible penalty beneath the goal line in both games.
Leave Korczak in Vegas for the two games in Anaheim.
They always lose Round 2 Game 2 but the trend in the series is concerning.
VGK now has lost four of five to the Ducks this year.
A pillow fight series loss to the Ducks with a fully healthy team would be disastrous.
Rob S.
OR it might indicate that what a number of us have said most of the season is true: this roster is top-heavy, unbalanced, and completely non-cohesive. AND IT STILL DOESN’T HAVE ANYONE THAT CAN COUNTED ON TO PUT THE PUCK IN THE NET.
McFly
Forgot to mention, (Agree) Put the PP back the Cassidy way.
That might help short term, long term without change in our 5 on 5 we’re going nowhere.
Pistol Pete
Playoffs:
Hart: 5-3 (2.44/.912)
Dostal: 5-3 (3.22/.886)
Need a big time bounce back Friday. Come on guys let’s run the table on these turkeys. GKG!!!
Henderson One
Great PK, great game again for Hart. Team as a whole looked old and slow. The Ducks had their way in their O zone and seemed to get every loose puck. We may see the round over in Game 5.
Duckboy
IMO eichel is hurt. He has mishandled soooooo many simple puck plays he makes all the time. Maybe painkiller numbing his arms/hands.
Stone made the worst passes I have ever seen him make tonight. Either he is off or the blender line mix ups make it impossible to have people in expected places. Who knows
FOR GOD SAKES DROP KOLESLAW! He is zero physical this series and if you only play him 8-10’mins what is the point. Smith should have never been out if this was the fucking plan.
Hart has been good but think if the ducks made 1/2 of their wide open net shots what we would say about it.
So weird they pounded the hell out of Utah and like zero physicality this series.
They look spent or out classed.
It’s all on game 3, unless it’s another lucky win.
Pistol Pete
As a coach Joel Quenneville is widely thought second only to Scotty Bowman. A former 6’1” 200 lb. D who played 12 straight seasons in the NHL before being demoted to the AHL in ending his playing career he obviously understands the value of training his players, young and not so young, to be quick to and strong on the puck. You can really see this in the first two games of this series. Vegas is no slouch so let’s just see how game 3 goes.
Pistol Pete
Part 1:
Joel Quenneville is known for a coaching style that emphasizes puck possession, high-tempo play, and physicality. He frequently trains his players to be “relentless” in pursuing and winning puck battles, using specific drills to instill these habits.
Training and Tactics:
Quenneville prioritizes a “puck-first” mentality that requires players to be both quick to the puck and strong enough to maintain control once they have it.
“Battle” Drills:
He often uses 1-on-1 and 2-on-2 drills in small areas to force players to compete for loose pucks and learn how to steal or protect them under pressure.
Pace and Purpose:
His practices are typically short and upbeat, mirroring game situations to ensure players operate at a fast tempo.
Relentless Forecheck: A hallmark of his system is an aggressive forecheck (often a 2-1-2) designed to pressure opposing defensemen and force turnovers quickly.
Physical Presence: Quenneville maintains an “old school” emphasis on physicality, ensuring his teams are challenging to play against and strong in “dirty areas” like the boards and the front of the net.
Pistol Pete
Part 2:
Tactical System Focus:
While his system varies slightly based on the roster, several core principles remain constant across his tenures with the Blackhawks, Panthers, and Ducks.
Puck Possession:
Favors making zone entries with the puck rather than dumping it, relying on skill and control.
Hybrid Defense:
Uses a read-based hybrid zone system to force turnovers instead of just straight man-to-man coverage.
Defensive Responsibility:
Emphasizes a “200-foot” game where all five players work in sync to guard high-danger areas.
hdbiker785
PP – just a quick question where did you copy all the info from on Joel Quenneville coaching style? I would doubt you witnessesd it in person. I am certain you realize, at least I hope so, that isn’t that much different from how most successful coaches operate. They are basic fundumentals of th e game. The basic problems in the last two games the Ducks are in overdrive and the Knights are having problems finding even second gear. It it so obvious watching them go for the pucks Vegas holds back because they know they can’t beat them to the pucks. Fortunately the PK and Hart are holding them together or they would be in Calofornia down by two versus tied.
McFly
It’s “derivative automated drivel”
Ai-derived, Spewed from a Chatbot
…and exactly hd on your points.
G3’s play will be telling to where we’re headed.
Pistol Pete
Fan Duel (New Jersey) VGK/ANA series:
VGK -160
ANA +132
Anthony
Game 2 was a massive disappointment. It was a carbon copy of Game 1, but this time with the logical result we expected. Two games in, we’ve been totally dominated twice, and we’re honestly lucky the series is tied right now.
The players knew they had to step it up for Game 2, but they didn’t—or worse, they couldn’t because the Ducks are clearly the better team at the moment.
I’m worried because the next two games are bound to be even tougher.
I’m no coach, but Torts’ decisions regarding the lineup/deployment about Karly really bother me: Smith being scratched, Herl playing on the wing, Doro buried on the third line…
I still have faith in our Knights—they usually respond well to adversity—but I have to admit, Quenneville’s Ducks look formidable
JB
Nothing to say that’s not already been said, other than we may be all used up?
TS
Quacks::::Purpose, desire, passion, constant intense play, relentless on both O abd D— sounds like our OWN team in 23, doesn’t it???
FG
How about those crowds this year? VGK fan apathy has sent in, likely for a variety of reasons: cost, inability to resell at face value, team performance, FO mistreatment of your favorite player, season ticket contract ending. Whatever the reason, the number of empty seats has increased over at least the past two years, and there were hundreds of empty seats in the lower bowl yesterday. For a second round playoff game! The energy of the crowd is not near the fever pitch it has been year’s past. I would expect there is a high level of concern in the front office.
Tim
FG, I’ve mentioned attendance the last couple of years Vegas is a funny town price them out of existence and watch the crowds dwindle. As I’ve mentioned many times the UNLV basketball team from 1974 until 1991 was the talk of the town. The shark den and that music from Jaws was inspirering now I couldn’t name a player on the team and when was the last time they made the NCAA tournament? The Knights are heading down the same path. To much to do in Vegas to watch 60 minutes of 1 goal play at what 150 dollars a ticket and up or with the miserable season we had can you blame anyone for not buying season tickets.
TS
Tim, your memories serve you right..factor in the Tark investigation and firing, and UNLV excellence was just a memory after that. All downhill with the city’support . Like him.or not, Tark WAS the face of Winning in Vegas, baby!!
Jake
Vegas and Minnesota both look overmatched, as did Edmonton.
Ducks, Utah, and Sharks on the rise: young, fast, filled with talent.
Is the window closing on the aging Vegas roster?
Eichel and Hertl have dropped off severely, unable to score.
Rrale
I do not believe the Ducks are the better team. I believe the VGK are just playing the same old sloppy game that cost a good coach his job.
Eichel plays as if he is drugged. Slow, bad puck handling and passes.
Kolesar should be at the bar watching the game. Same goes for Korsak.
PK and Hart have been playing great.
Power Play has been BAD at best. Yes, they did get a goal last night, well after the game had been decided.
There is little time for VGK to figure this out but that is what they get paid to do.
All we can do as fans is wait and pray, they do figure it out. Maybe ask them to PLEASE play like you are the better team and want to WIN.
Canada
Reffs screwed us in the first period maybe they felt they owed them after the supposed miss call in game 1. We did such a awesome job at killing penalties but at a price . After some bad calls gave them a pp with two minutes left in the first just make sure we were worn down or scored on , pricks . There are only so many marbles in the jar ,we were spent . Also thought they adapted well to our slowing them down in game one but again we burned a lot of energy on the pk tough to take the body when your spent . Agree with the comments on lines and players game two was a perfect time for Rylie Smith he seems to shine in these type of games . Hertle needs to sit for a game or two . Wild Bill is not his old self as of yet not finishing his checks seems to be playing safe. We need Lazon back and Korzack did make some costly mistakes . If we don’t hit this team and finish our checks as we did in the last two periods of game 1 we lose. In playoffs offensive chances mostly come from breaking the puck lose and we wont do that with out heavy contact. Lets hope the reffs will let them play in game 3.
Richie-Rich
Round 2 Game 2 Analysis VGK 1, ANA 3
Let’s assign grades:
Goaltending: A, not an A+
5v5: D
PP: F (20% is an F, not a D)
PK:A
Time & Space: F
NZ; B
OZ: F
DZ: B
Physicality: F I was surprised at the lack of physicality, especially in game 2. Someone needs to crush a Duck, get into a scrum, create some emotion and energy! The opportunity to do so was there when Hart got bum rushed and crushed on that Duck goalie interference. That could have injured Carter. No retribution. UNSAT!
Discipline: F (4 out of the 6 periods the VGK has taken penalties early)
Coaching: F Let’s face facts, the Golden Knights apparently have only 1 OZ entry strategy and the Duck’s Coach has it figured out and locked down. Tort has not responded with any tweaks.
Forechecking: F – too slow to get into position allowing too much time & space for the Ducks.
Backchecking: B – It’s good enough, but with games this tight it only takes 1 or 2 mistakes and that is exactly what is going on.
Players
-Dorofeyev’s minutes are going down. Nothing is being tweaked at all to give Pavel more looks on offense. He’s also been suspect on defense and backchecking.
-Hertl – there’s nothing good to say about this player
-Sissons, Smith, Kolesar – not much impact. There’s a case to be made to drope Sissons and bring in Reilly Smith. There’s also a case to consider bringing in Saad and having him skate on that 4th line.
Korczak – not impactful, not great, not playing a lot of minutes. I like Ken’s idea of bringing up Dylan Coghlan who has a ton of experience. I think that Hutton and Coghlan will be a better pairing.
Anaheim has exposed the Golden Knights weaknesses on offense that they have had all year long. 40 minutes of lazy looking offensive play winding up with having to chase the scoreboard. It’s not too early to be panicking.
If things don’t change on the power play, on the roster and on forechecking then the Golden Knights are in trouble.
Anthony
Excellent analysis, Richie.
It only confirms my concerns for what’s next.
The idea of the Ducks knocking us out is becoming more and more realistic. They’re playing with more passion, more conviction, and of course, more speed. Plus, Quenneville really seems to be getting the most out of his group.
While Game 3 isn’t necessarily “do-or-die,” I think it will determine how the rest of the series unfolds.
We need a reaction—a big one—otherwise, the golf courses might be calling sooner than expected.
Richie-Rich
We need at least a split in Anaheim. If we can get that then we still have a chance. If we go down 3 games to 1, that’s a steep hill.
larry
3-1 is not a steep hill, that is Mt. Everest without snow shoes, parkas and gloves, an absolute no win situation!
DAK
Hertl was atrocious last night, starting off the game with just a dumb penalty. Why is your stick in the freaking air when you are right in front of the crease and the puck is right there bouncing in front of you? Kolesar over Smith is another head scratcher especially when Torts stated before this series the Refs were only putting the instigator in the box for fighting to keep control of the game. Bring in Smith & Saad to skate with Karlson, that line has been creative before. Also Captain duties may need to be handed over to Dowd and that line because the Captain and Alternate have not brought much other than turnovers to this series. Dowds line has consistently dragged them into the fight during the the playoffs.
KnightWatch
Physicality : Seems without Lauzon they lost any snarl.
Can’t expect Barby to be the stabilizer every game
Coaching/Tweaks : This is where Bruce definitely held the edge.
Players: Of course it still would require the same players to execute.
Bad Habits: Continue
After 2 games staying the course isn’t going to work against the Ducks.
The play in Game 3 regardless of outcome will determine where the tunnel leads.
Roster Change: Sit the the nonperforming high $ guys and let the others try to generate a spark.
The likes of the Ducks and Sabres are the future (Passion, Determination, Fire, Speed) can’t sit idly by and hope for a better outcome.
Frank
It’s obvious, the team is not cohesive yet at this point, the only line I would leave alone is the 4th line – who are still playing darn good hockey. Hart has righted the ship with 2 very solid games against the Ducks (we were lucky it was only 3-1 last night).
Changes – Kolesar out, Hertl out… let those two sit and think about their play for a bit. Insert Smith and Saad. Forward lines:
Barbie – Eichel – Doro
Howden – Marner – Stone
R Smith – Karlsson – Saad
Sissons – Dowd – C Smith
Defense has not been awesome, but not particularly bad either. We actually miss Lauzon. Perhaps switch out Korzcak with Coghlan…. maybe.
Either way – one or more of Eichel/Dorofeyev/Stone/Marner need to show up! 1-1 is not a bad spot to be in. Especially since we have yet to play to our potential.
Pistol Pete
Like your lines Frank. Also appreciate your refreshingly fair attitude when it comes to the outcomes of these two challenging games.
Pistol Pete
and I might have added the position we find ourselves in going forward
Rrale
Perhaps this is this team’s potential. Look at the play since the Olympics.