Post-game comments from Shea Theodore and Paul Cotter at the Vegas Golden Knights' 3-2 victory. The Vegas Golden Knights became the 16th team to start the season with seven consecutive wins with a 3-2 victory against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday at T-Mobile Arena. Shea Theodore scored the game winner with 33 seconds remaining, while Ivan Barbashev and Paul Cotter also scored. Logan Thompson saved 26 shots. The start is the best in Vegas’s franchise history and is the best start by a defending Stanley Cup champion. Here are the three takeaways: PAUL’S PHENOMENAL PLAY Cotter’s goal displayed his dynamic skillset that he typically flashes for fans who come to practices at City National Arena. While most will talk about his dangle between the legs and his undressing of Egor Zamula, it’s his recovery after losing an edge that is the more impressive thing about his game. He displayed a willingness to hustle and stick with the play rather than sulk and feel bad for himself. It also came after missing much of the second period as Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy shortened his bench. “I was pretty pissed off. It worked out, so stay resilient,” Cotter said. “It’s a move that I’m comfortable with. … It’s something I’ve done so many times, that I know how to do it. There are certain times to do it. It was right time, right spot. So I figured I’ll pull it off.” Cotter’s growth will be key if the Golden Knights are to repeat. He said earlier this season he wants to be more consistent in his performances. So far, he’s doing what he can to stay in the lineup and remain on Cassidy’s good side. THOMPSON’S GROWTH Thompson gave up a soft goal in the first period that gave the Flyers a 2-1 lead. It was one of those goals that he would like back, but those are the bounces that Cassidy warned against. Thompson recovered mentally after the gaffe, stopping the remaining shots he faced. “It happens to every goalie in this league from time to time,” Cassidy said. “He made some saves in the second that gave us a chance. … That’s where I give Logan a lot of credit.” SHORTENING THE BENCH The Golden Knights got sucked into the Flyers’ game for much of the first half of the game. The offense couldn’t get going prompting Cassidy to mix up the lines and shorten the bench and put William Karlsson alongside Mark Stone and Chandler Stephenson. Naturally, it would cause players to miss time. For example, Cotter missed the final 9:16 of the second period. The thing is, however, the players understand what is happening. Cassidy is such a great communicator that the players understand what is happening whenever they are benched in favor of trying to get a short. “That’s hockey,” Cotter said of the benching in the second period. “Sometimes the bench gets shortened and we’re all in the NHL for a reason, so as soon as our name is called on, we have a job to do. So if [Cassidy] feels that some guys need to get out there or some guys need to break to mental regroup, then so be it. You get an edge on your shoulder, and go out there and do your job.” Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNzQ3MDYwOTc2Nzg5MjY4/img_5780.jpg]
