Vegas Golden Knights: Three Keys to taking Game 2 and going up 2-0
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.
Key 2 – Power up the PP
Both the Golden Knights and the Chicago Blackhawks played a real disciplined game in Game 1, and it showed on the scoreboard.
Both teams had two attempts on the power play each and both went 0/2.
That will need to change for the Golden Knights.
They are bound to get more opportunities on the man advantage given that Chicago is trailing in the series and will now start to take more chances.
With the plethora of potent weapons at their disposal, Vegas will need to execute better on the PP in order to really live up to expectations.
After all, special teams are key in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
And, you can’t be giving up shorthanded goals in a Best-of-Seven series as the Knights did in Game 1 with Shea Theodore coughing up a bad turnover.
Going 2-0 up in a series isn’t the final nail in the coffin by any stretch, but it would be a huge step forward for the Golden Knights and they will need to be a lot better on the power play if they are to win Game 2.
Key 3 – Keep Kane quiet
We mentioned this in the first slide but Patrick Kane has struggled for the Blackhawks after the restart so far.
He had just one goal and four points in the Best-of-Five Qualifying Round against the Edmonton Oilers, while he was held without a point in Game 1 against the Golden Knights.
Kane didn’t look himself in Game 1 and missed the net as well as mishandling a few passes on occasion.
However, he did hit the post and you just know that a player of that quality won’t stay quiet for long.
No chance at all.
After all, Kane was on fire during the regular season with 33 goals and 51 assists for 84 points in 70 games, while the three-time Stanley Cup Champion recorded over 100 points the year before.
So the Golden Knights need to be aware of the fact that Kane will eventually wake up and, when he goes, the Blackhawks go too.
It is very possible that Kane has a huge bounce back game in Game 2 and, as a result, Vegas will need to pay extra attention to the veteran.
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They will need to check hard and take away any open ice from Kane, or risk losing Game 2 because of a huge performance from a superstar.