Vegas Golden Knights: Biggest takeaways from opening night win

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 02: The Vegas Golden Knights celebrate after defeating the San Jose Sharks at T-Mobile Arena on October 02, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 02: The Vegas Golden Knights celebrate after defeating the San Jose Sharks at T-Mobile Arena on October 02, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/NHLI via Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 02: Brayden McNabb #3 of the Vegas Golden Knights skates during the second period against the San Jose Sharks at T-Mobile Arena on October 02, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 02: Brayden McNabb #3 of the Vegas Golden Knights skates during the second period against the San Jose Sharks at T-Mobile Arena on October 02, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images)

3. McNabb set for a big year?

When talking about the Vegas Golden Knights blueline, much of the focus is on stud defensemen Shea Theodore and Nate Schmidt. That’s not surprising.

But, could Brayden McNabb be set for a huge year in 2019-20?

The 66th overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft was outstanding against the San Jose Sharks and was easily the pick of the bunch of the Golden Knights’ defensemen.

Logging 22:28 minutes of total ice time, including time on both the power play and the penalty kill, McNabb dished out six hits, blocked one shot and was just dominant against the Sharks.

It was an impressive showing from the 6’4″ and 212 lb blueliner who will eat monster minutes throughout the year, and 2019-20 could be the season McNabb really breaks out and prove that he can be a high-end defenseman in the NHL.

It was a solid effort from the Vegas blueline overall with all three defensive pairings doing a good job of shutting down the Sharks’ attack and limiting their most potent weapons to scraps.

The Golden Knights and the Sharks will do battle once again on Friday when Vegas heads to San Jose.