Vegas Golden Knights: Three keys to beating the Blueshirts

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LAS VEGAS, NV – NOVEMBER 29: Vegas Golden Knights center Jonathan Marchessault (81) shoots the puck during a regular season game against the Arizona Coyotes Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by: Marc Sanchez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Score first

It sounds simple but you understand how important this is going to be when you look at the stats for both teams.

The Golden Knights are 11-3-1 when scoring first this season but are an awful 2-8-3 when going behind, while the Rangers are 11-4-2 when lighting the lamp first and are 2-5-1 when allowing the first goal of the game.

So, logic dictates that the Vegas Golden Knights are going to have to get off to a fast start and strike first if they want to come out on top tonight.

After all, Madison Square Garden is a loud building so if the Knights can silence the home crowd early then that could play a factor too.

And then there is the added caveat that the Golden Knights still haven’t won more than two games in a row, which is something they will try to rectify tonight.

Next. Opportunity awaits during East Coast road trip. dark

But, if they give up the first goal of the game then that could play into the mental aspect of things, so it is imperative that the Vegas Golden Knights come out flying, get the legs going, get the first goal and then take control of the contest from there.

Let’s not forget, too, that the Rangers have won four straight at home and are playing with some real momentum right now, so giving up the first goal to the Blueshirts could prove all so costly for the Golden Knights.

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