Vegas Golden Knights impressive in win against Colorado Avalanche
The Vegas Golden Knights had another successful pre-season outing Tuesday night in Denver showing they will be a tough opponent in 2017-18.
It’s not everyday that an NHL general manager gets to hand pick his entire team. Yet Vegas Golden Knights general manager George McPhee was probably marveling at the opportunity when it presented itself. Most of the time, GMs walk into a mess that the last guy left, leaving little room for flexibility. Contracts are already signed, coaches may still be hired, and the aura of disappointment still looms the halls of the stadium.
But McPhee had none of that. He got to draft his players, hire his coach and even got a new stadium. It must feel like getting into a new car every time he walks inside the front doors. But with every opportunity that represents a fresh start, McPhee and his staff’s names are carved into every decision the Vegas Golden Knights make. And so far, they look pretty darn good.
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I saw Vegas in person Tuesday night at the Pepsi Center when they took on the Colorado Avalanche. I will admit I arrived fashionably late midway through the second period but I wasn’t surprised by the score. The Avs were already down 3-0 in the game and BSN called the Avalanche’s performance after the game like experiencing PTSD, but that’s beside the point.
What was most surprising was the chemistry the Golden Knights showed. It was remarkable how well coached the Knights were for only being together for a few months. They had youth, speed, skill, size, and a lot of nastiness. Which leads me to my favorite part about them–their defense.
The Golden Knights could’ve gone about the expansion draft a few different ways. They chose to stockpile talented young defensemen and invest in skill via the draft. Shea Theodore, Nate Schmidt, Luca Sbisa, John Merrill and Griffin Reinhart make up a solid group of defenseman in their twenties who will learn from great veterans like Jason Garrison, Clayton Stoner and Deryk Engelland. It was clear Tuesday these boys came to play.
When the Avalanche tried to penetrate the offensive zone, the Knights big defenseman were clearing the lane with big checks and perfect body position. Second chances for the Avalanche were scarce. Much like a basketball player in the 90s driving the lane, Knights defensemen played with a “no-layup rule” style, punishing every forward who came close to the net.
To be honest, I wasn’t sure how the Knights would fare this year, but they sure can finish. Every odd man break was capitalized on. The Avalanche had their typical defensive lapses and the Knights made them pay.
Some of you may have already stopped reading at this point and shut your laptops thinking I’m foolish for passing judgements on a preseason game, but a lot can be told in exhibition matches. Coaches are trying new things, they throw out new combinations, and take different risks.
It was clear to me the veterans on the Knights knew how to play a smart road game and embarrassed the Avalanche in front of maybe 8,000 fans. You could honestly hear a pin drop at the Pepsi Center. And at the end of the game when the expansion team was celebrating their second consecutive victory, the Pepsi Center felt like an empty room.
Next: Pacific Division Breakout Candidates
The Golden Knights sure make for one of the most interesting teams in the league having already established a team culture of working hard. The next few years won’t be perfect, but Knights fans can expect a good game every night out of these boys. And once their young players begin to get their feet wet in the NHL, they will be doing a lot more than just spoiling the Pacific Division party.