Golden Knights Are Limiting Shots On Goal And Are Hoping For Results To Follow
In their last three games, the Vegas Golden Knights have limited their opponents to less than 25 shots.
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports - Golden Knights Are Limiting Shots On Goal And Are Hoping For Results To FollowIn their last three games, the Vegas Golden Knights have limited their opponents to less than 25 shots.
In their matchups against the New Jersey Devils, Tampa Bay Lightning and Seattle Kraken the Golden Knights' defence has been playing lights out.
In their 3-1 win against the Devils, the Golden Knights held them to just 21 shots, seven in each period. Holding a team that has the likes of Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier and Timo Meier is not a small feat. The Devils are 10th in the league in shots on goals averaging 31.8. Hughes is also third in the league in shots on goal per game and was held to just three.
Despite the 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, HC Bruce Cassidy thought the Golden Knights played a solid defensive game. Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point combined for six points but the Golden Knights held the Lightning to just 21 shots and only three in the second period. Giving up a power play goal and a shorthanded goal was the downfall of that game. The fifth goal for the Lightning came with the goalie pulled.
In last night's matchup against the Kraken the Golden Knights only gave up one goal; which came on the power play and just 22 shots throughout the game.
The results haven't always favoured the Golden Knights as of late but the process is what they should be pleased with. Limiting strong offensive teams is what made the Golden Knights successful last season.
Logan Thompson has also been stellar in the last two games giving up just one goal in each game. Adin Hill has been the bit of the opposite. He's struggled and has watched his GAA rise and his SV% take a large dip. The best way for the Golden Knights to help Hill and continue to feed confidence into Thompson is to keep playing the way they are.
Noah Hanifin is becoming more comfortable with each passing game and is seeing his role increase. Alex Pietrangelo has missed the previous two games with an illness and when he is eligible to return, the Golden Knights' depth on defence will shine.
The Golden Knights have the Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators and Winnipeg Jets coming up on their schedule. The Predators have been the hottest team in the league for the past month and will pose a huge challenge.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vegas Golden Knights site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.