7 Observations: Golden Knights Lock Down Lead, Stifle Kraken

The Vegas Golden Knights (48-22-9) entered Thursday’s game once again shorthanded due to illness. However, they received reinforcements in the form of Tomáš Hertl. The Golden Knights overcame a turnover-ridden start and found their defensive game to beat the Seattle Kraken (34-40-6) 2-1.

Early on, the Golden Knights flirted with danger, turning the puck over in the slot and forcing Adin Hill to bail them out; to his credit, Hill was up to the task. Their first goal of the game came just moments after such a play.

The Golden Knights broke the ice just under seven minutes into the first period. ​​Ivan Barbashev sprung Brett Howden, who entered the zone. He drove around Vince Dunn, drifted below the net, and backhanded a centering pass to Mark Stone. Adam Larsson got his stick on it, but the puck bounced right to the trailing Barbashev, who deposited it into the open net.

The Golden Knights doubled their lead 7:56 into the second period. Brayden McNabb and William Karlsson forced a turnover at center ice, and Karlsson sent a bank pass to Reilly Smith. Smith entered the zone, drifted to the left circle, and found Karlsson in the slot. Karlsson settled the puck and beat Joey Daccord far side. 

The Kraken finally solved Adin Hill at 17:21 in the second period. Jordan Eberle got a stick on Adam Larsson’s one-time blast, and the puck bounced off the post. Eberle crashed the net, and Jared McCann stuffed it home. 

The Kraken had two power play opportunities in the third period, but the Golden Knights were up to the task. Reilly Smith was exceptional and the penalty kill matched the Kraken’s two high-danger chances while shorthanded.

The Golden Knights locked it down at the end of the third period and held the Kraken without a shot for nearly six minutes.

In the waning seconds of the third period, Brayden McNabb flung himself to the ice on the goalline to help Adin Hill deny Brandon Montour in close. McNabb and William Karlsson gutted out a 2:07 shift to secure the win for the Golden Knights.

Three stars of the game: Adin Hill, William Karlsson, Brayden McNabb

7 Golden Knights Observations

1. When the Kraken were a man up, it seemed like they spent more time in their own zone defending against the shorthanded Golden Knights than they did attacking. The power kill is back like it never left. It can’t be understated just how significant reuniting Reilly Smith and William Karlsson on the penalty kill was.

2. Speaking of William Karlsson, he’s getting hot at the right time. After breaking a 24-game goalless drought, he’s scored in two straight. When Jack Eichel returns, the Golden Knights’ center depth can go toe-to-toe with that of the Colorado Avalanche.

3. Ivan Barbashev has two goals in his last three games. He’s another player the Golden Knights need at his best for a Stanley Cup run.

4. Tomáš Hertl, the Golden Knights’ nominee for the Masterton, drew into the lineup on Thursday for the first time since his injury on March 23rd. He played well; most importantly, he looked like himself. He was strong on pucks and drove the net like there was a magnetic pull. Hertl’s return seemed to rejuvenate Brandon Saad, and the line of Hertl, Saad, and Pavel Drofeyev picked up right where they left off.

5. Shea Theodore is positively silky. The way he sees the ice is one thing, but his physical ability to cut through defenders and activate makes him a real danger. In the NHL, one of the best things you can be is unpredictable, and Theodore is unpredictable. You can see him getting stronger and growing more comfortable every game since his return. He’s an absolute force to be reckoned with.

6. Adin Hill was once again exceptional on Thursday. He saved 2.48 goals above expected and recorded his 31st win of the season.

7. The illness bug continues working its way through the Golden Knights’ locker room. Alex Pietrangelo and Nic Hague missed their second straight game, and Victor Olofsson joined them. Alexander Holtz drew into the lineup for the first time since February 6th. He was fairly invisible through his 11:54 of ice time, and Bruce Cassidy appeared to bench him after Holtz took an offensive zone penalty in the third period.