Vegas Golden Knights fans were worried after Game 2's loss to the Anaheim Ducks. They saw a power play unit not score until six seconds left in the game and the offense went cold overall. On top of that, Anaheim blitzed Carter Hart, who did everything he could to hold the fort down.
So, why were they worried? Well, Game 1 was a close call, too. It took a big third period for Vegas to pull away, as Anaheim... blitzed them again. Fortunately, the Golden Knights are tied in this series because if Game 1 turned out to be the other way...
...Well, you know what would've happened. Fans would've gone into a full-on meltdown on Twitter/X, cueing up the "golfing" jokes in Summerlin. On top of that, there would've been delirious fans who would've called for Kelly McCrimmon's job. Har har har.
But history has an interesting take on the Golden Knights' current situation. Instead of pain and panic, it's more of a favorable outcome that should play in their favor.
Again, the keyword is should since that's doing the heavy lifting. How have the Golden Knights fared in this particular scenario? Have they come back from adversity and overcome the odds? Get your pen and notepads because it's time for a quick history lesson, dear reader.
History favors the Vegas Golden Knights after they lost Game 2 to the Anaheim Ducks
Believe it or not, the Vegas Golden Knights have done an excellent job of rebounding after losing Game 2 in the second round. They've gone on to win four of the five series in that round, with the exception being last season's loss to the Edmonton Oilers.
How has the history shaken out for the Golden Knights? Well, let's say that adaptability is the name of the game. That's especially true when you're faced with adversity and a changing group, which has been the Las Vegas norm.
Season | Golden Knights Second Round Opponent | Game 2 Result | Series Result |
|---|---|---|---|
2017-18 | San Jose Sharks | 4-3 SJ, 2OT | 4-2 VGK |
2019-20 | Vancouver Canucks | 5-2 VAN | 4-3 VGK |
2021-22 | Colorado Avalanche | 3-2 COL, OT | 4-2 VGK |
2022-23 | Edmonton Oilers | 5-1 EDM | 4-2 VGK |
2024-25 | Edmonton Oilers | 5-4 EDM, OT | 4-1 EDM |
One thing to note is that half of the Game 2 losse in the second round came in overtime. Now, it'll be interesting to see where this series ends up with the Ducks being fast. However, one thing's certain: history's on the Golden Knights' side.
They either lost one more game or didn't lose at all, adjusting their game plan in the process. This was even true to an extent last season with Reilly Smith's buzzer-beating goal. Of course, the Golden Knights didn't score after that and were promptly eliminated.
Will that be the case for Vegas this postseason? Can they similarly handle the Ducks like past iterations, or will a new, less pleasant streak take place? Who knows. But one thing's for certain: the Golden Knights are feeling confident about their odds, especially with John Tortorella running the show.
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