Vegas Golden Knights are perfect 12-for-12 on the penalty kill, have scored six goals on the man advantage.
SUNRISE, Fla., -- The Vegas Golden Knights have seen their power play surge and fade in stretches this season.
It was virtually nonexistent against in the first few rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but with the bright lights of the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Golden Knights have scored six goals on the man advantage in the Finals (6-for-17).
The adjustments have been subtle, such as moving Jonathan Marchessault to the strong side elbow instead of to his one timer.
“Our power play this year has been a challenge for us. We’re trying to implement some different things from previous years. That took a while,” Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. “You're starting different things and for different people's strengths.”
Mark Stone leads the way in power play goals with four, while Marchessault and Eichel have three each.
Cassidy said it is vital for the power play to get going as Florida commits a lot of minor penalties that allow the Golden Knights to go on the man advantage.
"They play a physical game, so we have to make sure we're ready for it," Cassidy said. "So I think we were a little more prepared than previous series. You're always trying to be good on special teams. We knew we would have some and it was important for us to get it going because it's been kind of a little inconsistent throughout the playoffs."
The penalty kill has been a little more stable for the Golden Knights. The numbers don’t look ideal, as the Golden Knights are 13th among playoff teams on the kill (70.7 percent).
It might be a little skewed, however. The Golden Knights played a historically good power play against Edmonton in the Second Round. Things got better against Dallas, killing 72.7 of power plays.
Now the Golden Knights have found its legs and are a perfect 12-for-12 against the man advantage against Florida.
"Against Edmonton, it was very hard," Vegas forward William Karlsson said. "They were very skilled and good. I'm sure we learned a few things. But at the end of the day, it's us trying to adjust to what they're trying to do. We've been doing a good job since then. You could say that that was pretty good practice for Dallas and then Florida now."
The Golden Knights will need to find its scoring and defense 5-on-5, but to them, it’s comforting to know that special teams is coming through in the meantime.
"So far it's been pretty good, I'd say," Karlsson said. "PK has been very good, now we've gotten some power-play goals, as well. I'd say it's clicking right now."