Adin Hill was a quiet yet integral part of the Vegas Golden Knights beating the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, 6-2. The historically injured goaltender stopped 22 of 24 shots, good for a save percentage of .917. Those stats actually show an improved Hill statistically.
The Calgary native has a save percentage of .906 and a GAA of 2.21. Oh, and he's 4-0-0 this season. Suddenly, the narrative that he's "Buns," as the kids would say these days (Rhymes Like Dimes!), is starting to disappear. It's amazing what a year can do for a player looking to rebound, eh?
But it isn't just Hill that's seeing a rebound. When you combine that with Hart's steady play in net, you're not in the basement anymore. Look at the latest stats from hockeystats.com and see what's going on with the Golden Knights' netminding.
Team Goaltending - October 18https://t.co/WtmCOa1caj pic.twitter.com/QA85EoWN7m
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) October 18, 2026
Yes, I know that being in the middle of the pack isn't something to sing home about. However, being 13th is far better than having all of your goalies with a negative stat in the "goals saved above expected" category. Imagine having everyone so injured and terrible that you're wondering how you made the Stanley Cup Final, despite your unit being so paltry.
But a deeper dive into the goaltending statistics shows that the Golden Knights are being carried by a surprising unit. Furthermore, Ryan Craig knows how to get the most from his netminders, as proven by his earlier days with the Henderson Silver Knights. Fans will remember a current prospect who's thriving with the AHL club, specifically when Craig was at the helm.
Why Vegas Golden Knights fans should thank the good lord that Ryan Craig is helping the goaltending as the head coach
I know what you're thinking. You're thinking that Ryan Craig doesn't have full jurisdiction over the goaltenders. That would be Sean Burke. Yes, that much is true. But Burke was also the goaltending coach for Vegas last season. You know, the campaign when the Golden Knights completely fell apart. That shows how well Craig has handled the goaltending this season.
But one can point to Carl Lindbom as a shining example of Craig's immaculate work. Last season, the Swedish goaltender posted a GAA of 2.16 and a save percentage of .926. He also added three shutouts to the equation, marking a massive upturn for the 2021 seventh-round pick. Diving into the statistics further shows how far the Golden Knights have come under Craig's tutelage, specifically with Hill.
Season | Goals Saved Above Expected | Save % Above Expected | GAA Better Than Expected | Wins Above Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2025-26 | -14.2 | -0.0108 | -0.57 | -2.36 |
2026-27 | 1.0 | 0.0052 | 0.25 | 0.17 |
As mentioned, the 2026-27 numbers don't necessarily jump out compared to any other goaltender, especially with the season starting. But when you overcome injuries and get a boost from a proven head coach on the goaltending front, that's great news for a hobbled netminder like Hill.
Suddenly, he's allowed to play to his strengths again. He can use his size to take up the entire net and swallow pucks. Sure, there's the occassional mishap, where he allows an easy shot to slip past him. But Craig has let him make strides in the net.
Every Golden Knights fan knows what Carter Hart can do in net. They've watched him carry the team to the Stanley Cup Final before the Carolina Hurricanes blitzed him. But if Hill can be a solid backup, Vegas will have one of the most underrated goaltending tandems in the NHL. That will be horrific news for Golden Knights haters everywhere.
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