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Vegas Golden Knights: Three Keys to taking Game 2 and going up 2-0

By Andrew Steele-Davis

Players line up for the national anthem before the start of a game between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Chicago Blackhawks in Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)
Players line up for the national anthem before the start of a game between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Chicago Blackhawks in Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images) /
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Players line up for the national anthem before the start of a game between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Chicago Blackhawks in Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Players line up for the national anthem before the start of a game between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Chicago Blackhawks in Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images) /

There’s certain ingredients the Vegas Golden Knights will need if they are to go two up in this series.

Today is Game 2 of the Western Conference First Round matchup between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Chicago Blackhawks at Rogers Place in Edmonton.

Vegas is currently 1-0 up in the series after beating the Hawks 4-1 on Monday, thanks in part to 19 saves from Robin Lehner and two goals from Reilly Smith.

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The Golden Knights controlled play for most of the game and limited the Blackhawks to just 20 shots on goal, doing a really good job of putting the shackles on Chicago’s big guns.

Vegas also got a big night from their second line as well as contributions from up and down the lineup.

That will be needed again in Game 2.

Although we haven’t got word yet, it is expected that Robin Lehner will start Game 2 and the former Blackhawk will no doubt have added motivation to heap more misery on his old team.

Let’s go over the Three Keys for today’s game…

Key 1 – More of the same

Vegas played a near-perfect game in Game 1, winning the battles and outmuscling the Blackhawks all over the ice.

They were able to play their aggressive forechecking style of play, which really suffocated Chicago’s offense.

As a result, Robin Lehner only faced 20 shots on goal and four high-danger chances and the Golden Knights will need to play the same in Game 2.

Chicago will be playing with a chip on their shoulder after dropping Game 1, while it isn’t realistic to think that the likes of Patrick Kane is going to continue to struggle.

A player of his quality will get hot at some point so the Golden Knights need to remain focussed, continue to win puck battles in the dirty areas and continue to play their structured game while being aggressive on the forecheck.

If they can do that then they will have a great chance to go two up in this series.

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