Who Should Start Game 1 For the Golden Knights Against The Stars
The Vegas Golden Knights will be playing the Dallas Stars, the top seed in the Western Conference in the first round of the playoffs. Who should be the Golden Knights' game-one starter is one of the biggest questions surrounding the team right now.
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports - Who Should Start Game 1 For the Golden Knights Against The StarsThe Vegas Golden Knights will be playing the Dallas Stars, the top seed in the Western Conference in the first round of the playoffs. Who should be the Golden Knights' game-one starter is one of the biggest questions surrounding the team right now.
Adin Hill and Logan Thompson have almost identical stats. Thompson posted a .908SV% with a 2.70GAA while Hill posted a .909SV% with a 2.71GAA. The only discrepancy between their stats is the total number of games played. Thompson played in 46 games and Hill only played 35.
Hill missed quite a bit of the season with a few injuries and has ended the year very poorly. He started the new campaign off by proving to his critics that the run to the Stanley Cup was no fluke but the injuries played a role in his inability to continue the strong play. Hill was a Vezina candidate until the injuries took over.
Thompson on the other hand has been the opposite of Hill. As the season has gone on, his game has improved. He went through a six-game stretch where never gave up more than one goal a game.
Thompson is heading into the playoffs with more confidence and better results.
The Golden Knights played the Stars three times this season. Hill started in the first two matchups. The Golden Knights won the first game 3-2 in a shootout and Hill made 24 saves on 26 shots. In the second meeting, Hill and the Golden Knights won in overtime, 2-1. Hill made 31 saves in the victory. The final matchup saw Thompson get the start and the Golden Knights again came out on top winning 6-1. Thompson didn't have to do too much making just 19 saves.
In last year's series in the Western Conference Finals, Hill started all six games for the Golden Knights and he was incredible. He allowed just 12 goals and posted a .939SV%.
Despite that, heading into game one, the starter should be Thompson. The leash will be short for whoever HC Bruce Cassidy decides to go with. Recent success is more predictable than the past. Hill posted a save percentage above .900 just three times in his previous 11 games and Thompson posted a save percentage below .900 three times in his previous 11 games.
If Thompson underperforms, Hill will be given the crease. Whoever finds the hot hand will be the starting goaltender for the Golden Knights.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vegas Golden Knights site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.