Winning back-to-back championships is never easy. Whether you're competing in the NFL (see the Kansas City Chiefs) or in the NHL (see the Vegas Golden Knights), each team is putting a target on the champion's back. For the Golden Knights, Game 2 was a much bigger test than anticipated.
The Dallas Stars started strong and physical, with players like Mason Marchment laying out Golden Knights left and right. How would Vegas respond to the added emotion from the opposition? What adjustments did Bruce Cassidy and crew need to make to take a commanding lead?
Well, that was easy for Cassidy to do, for he applied more checking pressure on the Stars and eventually broke them. The result? A 3-1 victory that carries all the momentum back to Las Vegas. It seems the Golden Knights are back with a vengeance, taking down anybody with ease. Of course, that starts at the top.
Jack Eichel Proves He's An Elite Center
Just after the Dallas Stars scored the first goal of the game on the power play, the Vegas Golden Knights responded less than two minutes later. How so? With Jack Eichel going on a breakaway, setting up--who else?--Jonathan Marchessault for the equalizer.
It's become a habit for Eichel and the Golden Knights to respond immediately after their opponents score. With the Massachusetts native's offensive intelligence and playmaking, he adds another layer to Vegas's attack.
Aside from dishing out a beautiful pass to Marchessault (pay the man), Eichel also added an empty net goal to put the game out of reach. The Golden Knights offense has stars on every line, making them dangerous. However, it's #9 that makes the ship sail. With Eichel cranking up the offensive intensity, he's also proving he can be a clutch playoff performer.
What's Next for the Vegas Golden Knights?
Game 3 is happening at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday. It'll provide the Golden Knights an opportunity to put the series out of reach, keeping them in the driver's seat. Las Vegas will be there, ready to go all-out for their team the same way the Golden Knights do for their fans.
While the Stars will come out with more emotion like they did in Game 2, it's on the Golden Knights to use their system. Take away shooting lanes and play back. The rest will play itself out, as proven by Bruce Cassidy's unbreakable system.
There have been numerous key players in the playoffs for the Vegas Golden Knights so far. Whether it's Logan Thompson getting comfortable with the playoff pressure or trade deadline acquisitions like Noah Hanifin chipping in, the Golden Knights are finding their groove at the right time. That's bad news for the rest of the NHL, who's only hoping to contain the budding of a potential new empire.