Don't let the opponent back in the game
After gaining a four-goal lead, the Vegas Golden Knights got comfortable. That led to the Seattle Kraken making things interesting, pulling within a goal. Being relaxed doesn't bode well for any team, especially if you're looking to gain two points. That's a harsh lesson the Golden Knights prospects learned at the Rookie Faceoff, where they nearly squandered the lead.
Luckily, the team held their own and locked down the Kraken late. That led to a Sapovaliv empty net goal, which got Vegas the victory. Ironically, it was a similar position in ways, for the prospects were faced with preserving a late lead. It's part of learning how to band together and prevent any late goals from slipping by.
The moral of the story? Don't ever get too comfortable. The Golden Knights jumped out to a 6-1 lead in Game 5 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. They overwhelmed the Florida Panthers with a goal onslaught, with Mark Stone eventually capping a clinching 9-3 victory with a hat trick. Golden Knights prospects should watch this game with earnest and see how the veterans preserved the victory.