When you get punched in the nose, how are you going to react? Are you going to cower, cry, and run away with your tail tucked between your legs? Or are you going to retaliate and deliver a punch right back?
That's the dilemma that the Vegas Golden Knights face for Game 3. The Utah Mammoth stunned Vegas in its own barn on Tuesday, 3-2, behind some good puck luck and a vicious attack. The Golden Knights were left stunned as the young Mammoth stole a game in Las Vegas, heading back to the Beehive State with some swagger.
So... what are you going to do now? Will you cower and shrivel up? Or will you respond and punch the Mammoth right back? That's the big question that looms before Friday's game, leaving Golden Knights fans wondering what the team will do.
Still, one thing's certain. John Tortorella isn't too enthused about the team's style after Game 2. He was throwing all sorts of cuss words out and putting the team through numerous grinding drills. Will that work for Vegas on Friday? Stay tuned. But here's what the team did before that colossal Game 3 against the Utah Mammoth.
John Tortorella is focusing on speed, speed, and speed
Watching the Utah Mammoth throughout the series, you'd think that the team's entire philosophy was based around flying up and down the ice. They have a litany of young players who can move, making life tough for the Golden Knights.
That's what Tortorella focused on heavily in Thursday's practice. He emphasized line rushes and odd-man rushes, focusing on getting the team moving. The hope is that the Golden Knights will get moving in Gme 3 and cut back on the errors. That way, they can take over the series and take back home-ice advantage.
Noah Hanifin looks fine on the ice
Tuesday wasn't the best day for Noah Hanifin. He left Tuesday's practice with a stinger and suffered another stinger in Game 2. It's safe to say that the Golden Knights can't afford to lose their big defenseman for the series remainder.
The good news? He looked fine in Thursday's practice, moving around with minimal effort. Fluid skating and area coverage will be paramount for the Boston native to thrive in Game 3. He'll be needed for puck movements and shot blocking, adding another dimension to the Golden Knights' game plan.
Jack Eichel's puck movements are more fluid in person
When you watch Jack Eichel on television, you can see how effortless he makes the game look. He takes incredible shots and can move the puck effortlessly, making him one of the league's best players.
But when you see him in person, it's even more amazing. He moves up and down the ice with ease, making incredible passes in the process. Fans might knock Eichel for not doing certain things, such as shooting the puck. However, the gold medalist brings more to the team than people realize, making him quintessential to the Golden Knights.
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