Fixing the Vegas Golden Knights' Third-Period Woes

The Vegas Golden Knights are in a freefall. What must the team do to address their woes, specifically in the third period?

Vegas Golden Knights v Chicago Blackhawks
Vegas Golden Knights v Chicago Blackhawks | Michael Reaves/GettyImages
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3. Stay Out of the Box

Matty Beniers
Vegas Golden Knights v Seattle Kraken | Steph Chambers/GettyImages

In the three Vegas Golden Knights victories in their past ten games, the Golden Knights have averaged 4.67 penalty minutes. In the seven losses, Vegas averages 5.57 penalty minutes.

When the Golden Knights take many penalties, it derails any hope of victory. In Vegas's loss to Calgary, Nicolas Hague was called for interference on Nazem Kadri. What happened after? A power play onslaught where Adin Hill was pressured. Although the penalty was killed, the Flames persisted, with Yegor Sharangovich scoring the game-tying goal shortly after.

Granted, the Golden Knights were lucky to lead that game. However, staying out of the penalty box goes a long way in winning games. In this case, it's better to be a "saint" than a "sinner" (unless that team's the New Jersey Devils. It's in the namesake, after all).

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