Do you want to know the scariest feeling in the world? No, it isn't some attention-seeking idiot named "BIGGROOVE" who dances for clout. It's finding yourself down 3-1 in a best-of-seven series.
Literally, that's me before tax day every year.
But seriously, it's a tough feeling to shake. That's especially true when you're going up against tougher pieces like Dylan Guenther, Logan Cooley, and Clayton Keller. When a team has so many young, speedy pieces, it can make life tougher for a veteran group like the Golden Knights.
So, what's a team to do? Are they supposed to tuck their tail between their legs and run away? Or should they concoct a plan that leads their group to victory? Whatever the case, the Golden Knights need a plan and fast. Otherwise, they're staring down the barrel of tee times at the local Summerlin course.
Luckily, there are three factors that can lead the Golden Knights to victory. These three factors should be considered lessons learned from their embarrassing Game 3 loss, where they fell into a 4-0 hole. Get the white board and marker out because it's time to go over strategy for Game 4!
1.) The power play learns from its Game 3 mistakes
John Tortorella didn't shy away from shaking up the power play unit on Sunday. He demoted Tomas Hertl and Mitch Marner to the second unit while promoting Ivan Barbashev and Shea Theodore to the top group. Perhaps setting up some rebounds will help the Golden Knights?
Whatever the case, something needs to happen to the group. Vegas is 2-for-9 in the series on the power play, indicating that something's amiss with the group. Game 3 was the perfect example of this, where the Golden Knights went 0-for-4 behind an endless array of passes and missed opportunities.
2.) Carter Hart can rebound from his disastrous Game 3 start
If fans see Carter Hart in net for Game 4, fans are hoping that Game 4 will treat him much better than the previous game. Only making eight saves on 12 shots won't get the job done in the series, especially when Utah feels confident that they can beat you.
That means reading shots up high better and using that patented glove more often. The Golden Knights actually had an opportunity to steal Game 3 early, when they consistently attacked the net. Hart must come through for Vegas throughout Game 4.
3.) The Golden Knights can't dig themselves into a deep hole
There's been a common theme during the 2025-26 season for the Vegas Golden Knights. Often, they'd find themselves in a deep hole, whether it was a three-goal deficit or even by four. They'd try so hard to get out of those ruts, only to fall short most of the time.
That trend must end on Monday. It's been a horrible habit that Vegas has had throughout the season, with Friday's game being a perfect example. If they fall into yet another deep deficit, that won't be the only deficit they'll have trouble escaping from.
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