Game 2 was a tradition for the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday. You lose that game in the second round and wait for the results to pour in afterwards. That was the case as the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Golden Knights, 3-1. But the beatings didn't stop there.
Ducks forward Ryan Poehling had an interesting quote when talking about the Golden Knights in the second round. He evoked a comparison to the bitter rivals known as the Edmonton Oilers, talking about how Vegas was basically "Unc status."
"It’s not like Edmonton where it’s fast, fast, fast. We know they’re physical. We can play that game. But I think the way to beat them is just outpacing them. It’s not just with speed. It’s how we play — you know, right up. Guys are supporting one another, and you saw it tonight. When we get in that rhythm and take quick shifts, it’s a hard team to play against."Ryan Poehling to Nick Cotsonika
Okay, he didn't actualy say "Unc status." But you get the point.
Granted, this is a true statement regarding the Oilers. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are two of the most dangerous scorers in the modern NHL landscape, blistering teams with their breakneck speeds. But the problem stems a bit further for the Golden Knights. In fact, it looks down the barrel of a team that's bigger, yet a tad more physical and slower.
The Vegas Golden Knights are relying on veteran experience to carry them past the Anaheim Ducks in the second round
The Golden Knights are one of the bigger NHL teams in the land, with their average weight sitting at 201 lbs. That's good for 12th in the league, making them one of the most sizable teams around. Granted, the Ducks are tied for second in this category (205 lbs.). However, Vegas is also tied with Edmonton in this regard.
There's another glaring problem with the roster, though: its age. The Golden Knights are the second-oldest team in the NHL (30.19 years for the average player), sitting only behind the Colorado Avalanche (30.26). Players like Mark Stone and Tomas Hertl might be bigger. But they're also anchored by their age, leaving the Ducks to run their up-tempo offense with ease.
Not only that, but the Ducks are coming out swinging in the second round. They have 76 hits in the first two games, signaling an alarming trend for the Golden Knights. Anaheim isn't afraid to soften up Vegas and use their own game against them. So what's a team to do?
How the Golden Knights can beat the Ducks in a seven-game series
For starters, they must use that veteran experience to get them past the Ducks. Anaheim is a younger team than the Mammoth, ranking 22nd on the age scale (27.88, while Utah was 19th at 28.19). That has led to countless wide-open nets and fumbled opportunities, keeping Vegas in the game.
The Golden Knights must also get the other half of the special teams going. While the penalty kill has been spectacular this postseason, the power play hasn't done much. Wednesday's power play goal came in garbage time (literally six seconds left), meaning that guys like Stone and Hertl must pick up the slack.
If that doesn't happen, Poehling will be 100% correct. The Golden Knights don't operate as a rush team as much, preferring to use their size for better transition opportunities instead. Therefore, play to your strengths and roast the Ducks.
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