Adin Hill didn't have the best series against the Minnesota Wild. The Vegas Golden Knights netminder had a save percentage of .880 and a GAA of 2.83. On top of that, the following stats didn't paint a positive light on the Calgary native (stats courtesy of MoneyPuck).
Goaltender | Goals Saved Above Expected | Save Percentage Above Expected | xGAA | GAA Better Than Expected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Adin Hill | -2.0 | -0.0055 | 2.50 | -0.33 |
Granted, plenty of those goals weren't his fault. Turnovers in the defensive zone hampered the Golden Knights in the series, leading to goals from Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy, among others. That's why Games 2 and 3 were absolute disasters. If you can't take care of the puck, you're not winning a hockey game any time soon.
The good news is that it's a new series. The Wild and their agonizing forecheck are in the rearview mirror, along with Kaprizov and Boldy. Of course, you must take care of the puck with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl looming. But Hill and company recognize their Pacific Division rivals.
How will the 28-year-old handle the pressure of two of the best hockey players in the world? Will he crack like Antonio Brown and leave with his jersey off his back? Hill isn't that crazy to do so. But that'll be the big question as the action starts on Tuesday.
Experts are claiming this series will be a toss-up. The star power will be immense, with the headliners being the primary focus. However, the Oilers-Golden Knights series will be won by those who stay strong in the net. Will it be Hill or does Edmonton have a sneaky advantage?
How has Adin Hill done in net against the Edmonton Oilers this season?
This season has been interesting for Adin Hill in many aspects. He was sixth in GAA (2.47) and had a save percentage of .906. On top of that, he had four shutouts. However, his stat lines against the Edmonton Oilers tell a different story.
The Golden Knights netminder had a GAA of 2.82 and a save percentage of .901. However, the 28-year-old also had a 28-save shutout on December 3 against Edmonton, giving the Golden Knights a crucial two points.
Obviously, the main question will be how the Golden Knights stop Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The two superstars can change a game's entire landscape with a couple of plays, giving the Oilers a big win. However, Hill's play matters as much as the guys in front of him.
For example, Shea Theodore had two giveaways in Game 2's embarrassing loss to the Minnesota Wild. However, those two giveaways stood out because they led to goals. Ensuring you're taking care of the puck will make life easier for everyone, including your goaltender.
Hill still has his role to play with the Vegas Golden Knights, though
It's on the Golden Knights to build a strong contingency around their goaltender during the second round. The Oilers are one of the craftiest rush teams in the league, creating scoring opportunities out of thin air. If defensive zone giveaways and the like start happening, it'll spell doom for Vegas's Stanley Cup hopes.
Of course, that's also on Hill to come through and deliver. The Oilers will find ways to attack him in every facet, ranging from his glove side to the five-hole. If the Calgary native isn't careful, this could turn into a quick series in favor of your hated rivals.
Luckily, the Vegas Golden Knights have a strong overall team that can tackle such problems. That starts with the head coach and ends with superstars like Jack Eichel. They'll do everything within their power to ensure their netminder has a smooth series. After all, who doesn't love a good rebound story?