Vegas Hockey Knight
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How Vegas Became THE Goaltending Team

By Jacob Walters

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 02: Logan Thompson #36 and Adin Hill #33 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrate on the ice after the team's 5-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets at T-Mobile Arena on November 02, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 02: Logan Thompson #36 and Adin Hill #33 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrate on the ice after the team's 5-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets at T-Mobile Arena on November 02, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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While Adin Hill and Logan Thompson are the mainstays of Vegas goaltending, the Golden Knights have a deep pipeline of talent at the position. Jiri Patera is a name that comes up often and with good reason. Last season, he held his own on a terrible Henderson Silver Knights team, establishing himself as a potential starter.

However, there are other reliable players in the pipeline. Carl Lindbom is a perfect example, making a name for himself at the last World Juniors and in Sweden. There are also names like Isaiah Saville waiting in the wings.

It also helps to have a goalie-friendly coach in Bruce Cassidy. Cassidy’s coaching style allows goaltenders to breathe easier, with blocked shooting lanes and blocked shots. Since the start of last season, Vegas led the NHL in blocked shots with 2,032.

As for the wait, that might take a while. Both Adin Hill and Logan Thompson are both young (Hill is 27, while Thompson is 26). Still, this is further proof that the Golden Knights are the kings of goaltending. With a quality head coach and a defensive-minded team, even an aging Ilya Bryzgalov could thrive here.

(Stats provided by StatMuse.com and Hockey Reference)

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