Golden Knights Elevating Play For Teammates in Special Games

"We've got a good group of guys," is one of those generic hockey quotes you'll hear in almost every postgame media scrum. 

But for the Vegas Golden Knights this season, they seem to be playing up to the statement, as they continue to play for one another in big games, especially when it means a lot for a specific member of their group.

Bruce Cassidy's Return

The most recent example is their 4-3 shootout win over the Boston Bruins Monday night. This game was head coach Bruce Cassidy's return to TD Garden in Boston after 14 years with the Bruins organization. Cassidy got choked up a bit in the video tribute the Bruins gave him, leaving the Golden Knights with even more motivation to get him the win.

The Golden Knights blew a 3-0 lead but still won with Reilly Smith scoring in the shootout. They became the first team this season to beat the Bruins at home.

"It means a lot obviously when you plan your old teams you want to have a strong performance. Tonight it showed that we want to play for a guy like him. He has been great for us since he came in," said Golden Knight's forward Jonathan Marchessault.

Cassidy admitted postgame that he even put a little money on the table to get his guys motivated for his return game.

"They were happy; they got a little money from me. The Cassidy college fund went down a little bit, but I will gladly pay it," said Cassidy, who said that even Eichel put some money in the pot despite not playing due to injury.

This is a great story, with a storyline greatly impacting the outcome of a Golden Knights game. But is is not the first time it has happened this season.

Ironman Kessel

The Golden Knights first true "win it for a teammate" game came in late October as Phil Kessel tied, and then set the NHL's Iroman record for most consecutive games played. In his tying-the-record game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Kessel scored but then had his goal taken back for an offsides.

He made up for this unfortunate call the next game with his 400th career goal in dramatic fashion in the record-breaking game.

Chants of "Phil, Phil, Phil" were heard from the Golden Knights locker room at SAP Center after the Golden Knights beat the San Jose Sharks 4-2.

Kessel is an easy guy to like, but outside from Adin Hill, no other members of the Golden Knights had been teammates with the longtime winger before this season. The three games- Kessel's Ironman tying game, Kessel's Iroman setting game, and Kessel's 1,000th consecutive game, all of which the Golden Knights won, certainly did wonders for team chemistry and making Kessel feel comfortable with his new team.

Back to Buffalo

Perhaps the most infamous game of the Golden Knights winning for their teammates was Nov. 10 as the Jack Eichel torched the Buffalo Sabres in his second return to keybank Center. The Golden Knights won 7-4 with Eichel scoring a hat-trick and four points in the third period alone.

Eichel, who spent six seasons in the Sabres organization, had some issues with the team regarding the status of both his health, and the state of the Sabres, which caused him to be stripped of his captaincy and traded. 

Sabres fans booed Eichel in both his return last March, and in this game. But Eichel got the last laugh.

"It felt good. I had a couple of breakaways. They were obviously on me all night and it felt good to get one. It was at a big point in the game for our group," said Eichel after the win.

Captain Mark Stone was impressed.

"That's one of the coolest games I have ever been a part of, especially in the regular season. I've had games going back to Ottawa where I was able to score and get wins, it feels great. I'm sure he feels a ton of emotions right now. Just an incredible game for him" said Stone.

Milestone Games

The Cassidy, Kessel, and Eichel games are the big "playing for one-another" games. But there are a couple others worth noting. 

The Golden Knights defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs on Nov. 8 in both Reilly Smith and Alec Martinez's 700th career NHL games. They won Nov. 21st against the Vancouver Canucks in Jonathan Marchessault's 500th career NHL game, Nov. 23 in Alex Pietrangelos 900th career NHL game, and even won Nov. 10th in Chris Davidson-Adams' 1,500th game as an equipment manager in the NHL.

All of these games are critical to team building, and can go a long way for the Golden Knights come playoff time. 

It also makes my job a lot easier- so thanks guys.

More Coming?

Looking at the remainder of the Golden Knights 2022-23 schedule, there are a couple of games where we could see another one of these games. Although it won't be in Gila River Arena, Kessel has yet to make his return to the Arizona Coyotes. That will come on Jan. 22 at 5:00 p.m.

On the flip side former Golden Knights Max Pacioretty, Evgenii Dadonov, and Marc-Andre Fleury will make their returns to Vegas on Mar. 1, Mar. 5, and Apr. 4 respectively.