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Vegas Golden Knights: Three keys to beating the Coyotes on the road

By Andrew Steele-Davis

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 05: Phil Kessel #81 of the Arizona Coyotes reacts after having his shot blocked during a game against the Boston Bruins at Gila River Arena on October 05, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 05: Phil Kessel #81 of the Arizona Coyotes reacts after having his shot blocked during a game against the Boston Bruins at Gila River Arena on October 05, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 08: Danton Heinen #43 of the Boston Bruins skates with the puck against Brandon Pirri #73 of the Vegas Golden Knights in the first period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on October 8, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bruins defeated the Golden Knights 4-3. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 08: Danton Heinen #43 of the Boston Bruins skates with the puck against Brandon Pirri #73 of the Vegas Golden Knights in the first period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on October 8, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bruins defeated the Golden Knights 4-3. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

3. Bottom six needs to click

Again, one of the biggest flaws for the Vegas Golden Knights in the 4-3 loss to the Boston Bruins on Tuesday was the lack of production they got from lower down their lineup, which was a big concern heading into 2019-20.

While the dynamic and explosive top two lines combined for eight points against the Bruins, the bottom six forward unit was non-existent and that can’t happen again if the Golden Knights are going to bounce back against the Coyotes tonight.

The fourth-line was particularly awful with William Carrier, Tomas Nosek and Ryan Reaves all -1 on the night, while the bottom six as a whole failed to generate a single high-danger chance between them.

Valentin Zykov and Brandon Pirri, who both won roster spots following an impressive preseason, were nonentities for much of that Boston game and Paul Stastny also struggled as the center of that third line, which really needs to get going and it needs to get going soon.

Next. View from the enemy camp. dark

The top two lines can’t carry this team all on their own and they are going to need help from their bottom six and depth forwards to provide offense against an Arizona defense that is very, very good.

If the bottom six doesn’t produce and performs another disappearing act, then it could be another very long night for the Vegas Golden Knights.

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