Three takeaways from the Golden Knights' 4-1 victory over the Ducks
Vegas matches Anaheim's physical play and remains perfect on penalty kill on the season.
The Vegas Golden Knights picked up a 4-1 win against the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena.
Chandler Stephenson scored a goal and had two assists. Jack Eichel and Shea Theodore had a goal and an assist; Jonas Rondbjerg also scored.
Adin Hill made 22 saves.
“Today, we started better than we have been, so we’re getting in a rhythm of playing,” Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. “We’ve found our game when we needed to.”
Here are three takeaways from the victory:
Physical? No problem.
The Ducks came in with the intent to hit and be heavy.
The Golden Knights answered the bell and continued to play their game in the face of a physical team. The Ducks outhit the Golden Knights 25-19.
More importantly, they didn't let their emotions get the better of them. Sure, the Golden Knights stood up for each other, but generally, they played a composed game in the face of some heavy hitting.
"It's a lot of emotions run high. They got a heavy team and guys who are physical," Stephenson said. "It's a hard-hit game. Gets you into it. Can't get too excited. Obviously, that's a game we don't mind playing.
Perfect PK
The Golden Knights are perfect on the penalty kill, improving to 9-for-9 on the man disadvantage.
Not only have the Golden Knights been effective on the penalty kills, they've been able to threaten in some cases.
Cassidy said he knows that the PK will eventually give up a goal, but for now, he's happy with how they're currently playing when down a man.
Adding more to the scoresheet
The Golden Knights have had 10 goal scorers this season and 18 different players register a point thus far this season.
Vegas has depth at all positions and it's showing in terms of their offensive capabilities.
Eventually, the normal goal scorers and point makers will break away from the pack, but until then, the Golden Knights will enjoy their run of offensive production from all available parties.
"They're a machine. They read off each other well, they play faster than other people do because they know the systems well," Anaheim coach Greg Cronin said. "They know what's going on the forecheck. I mean, that's why they're champions."