How the Vegas Golden Knights should tackle the Carolina Hurricanes

Reunions are a wonderful thing in life. You see a familiar face return to your home, conjuring countless memories and bringing smiles to everyone's faces. When the Vegas Golden Knights face the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday, they expect to see a familiar face on the ice: William Carrier.

One of the "Original Misfits" with William Karlsson, the Quebec native was an essential part of the Golden Knights's bottom six for seven years. He brought hard-hitting action (1,116 hits in seven seasons) and could score goals (he scored a career-high 16 goals in 2022-23). Nobody could do what Carrier did when he was healthy.

But there's more to Monday's game than a simple reunion. No, there's also two points on the line, specifically against one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference. Last season, the Hurricanes amassed 111 points, good for second in the Eastern Conference.

They're back at it again, even without big names like Jake Guentzel. Monday's game will be the biggest test at T-Mobile Arena so far, with the Golden Knights needing two points for the Pacific Division race. This is especially true in April when those earlier points will be considered. You don't want to scream your head off if you don't get better positioning in the Western Conference race, do you?

How should the Vegas Golden Knights tackle the Carolina Hurricanes? What should be the strategy Bruce Cassidy sticks with against this formidable Eastern Conference team? Preparing for any test is important, especially against a tough team like Carolina. Here's what Bruce Cassidy should be cooking up come Monday.

The Vegas Golden Knights plan against the Carolina Hurricanes

The one thing the Hurricanes don't like doing is hitting people. They're tied for the fewest hits in the NHL with 207 (Tampa Bay Lightning), relying on overall team speed and finesse to generate offense. That means outpacing your opponents and keeping them on their heels.

That's not to say that the Golden Knights are more physical; they're not (261, ninth-fewest in the NHL). However, this is the type of game that Keegan Kolesar should be a factor. The winger can rough up the lower lines and wear the Hurricanes down.

Goaltending could be another big test for the Golden Knights on Monday. Frederik Anderson leads the NHL in GAA at 1.49 and save percentage with .941. If he gets the start on Monday, the Golden Knights can't shy away from generating countless scoring opportunities. That means attacking the net and controlling the transition game.

This game could be a high-scoring affair, given both teams are in the top five in goals per game (the Golden Knights are second with 4.36, while the Hurricanes are fourth with 4.15). Jumping out to an early lead gives the Golden Knights a cushion, letting them establish their game.

T-Mobile Arena has been a house of horrors for road teams this season. Vegas has started the 2024-25 campaign 8-0-0, averaging 5.38 goals per game in Las Vegas. That could doom the Hurricanes on Monday, leaving them without much of a counterattack. It could also be a barnburner, with both teams scoring an endless array of goals.