Look, I know that Thursday wasn't the best game for the Vegas Golden Knights. They saw a 2-0 lead in the third period disappear and watched the Carolina Hurricanes win Game 2 in overtime, 4-3. That's never any fun, especially when you have the ultimate chance to grab the series by the throat.
Alas, being up 2-0 isn't the reality we live in. That means the Golden Knights have some work to do after collapsing in Game 2. Mind you, the third period has been a strong period for Vegas throughout the season, yet Thursday was the exception to the rule.
That also means learning some harsh lessons from a brutal Game 2. The Golden Knights can't wallow in their sorrows and let such a loss linger. After all, the Hurricanes are a terrific team that have the most talented players around. Why let them hang around and do damage?
Therefore, one major lesson must be learned from Thursday's collapse. The Golden Knights must look straight into the game film and take a few tough pointers from Game 2's unmitigated disaster.
The Vegas Golden Knights can't let the Carolina Hurricanes' forecheck get too comfortable late
How does a team score three goals in under six minutes in the third period? Well, it starts with establishing a hard forecheck against the Golden Knights and pressing them into making mistakes. The Hurricanes are an opportunistic team that will feast on any mistake you make. But it goes beyond that.
Last night saw Carolina make dangerous entries in the third period, flanking one or two attackers alongside the puck handler. Mark Jankowski's goal was a prime example of this, where he was said flank for the game-tying goal.
Mark Jankowski's first goal of the playoffs is a big one! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ZNy7ProBGF
— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) June 5, 2026
The Golden Knights can't let the Hurricanes have the boards, either. Instead, they must stick to their men and ensure that no Hurricane players get the upper hand in transition. Carolina loves playing a downhill style in transition, adding opportunistic shots that will go at the ears. Heck, why not establish a forecheck of your own?
Of course, having four defensemen available doesn't make matters easy. That's especially true when you lose Brayden McNabb to an errant puck to the face. Still, preventing entries on the rush goes a long way in swinging the momentum in your favor.
You could tell that the Hurricanes were feeding off their fans' energy on Thursday. There was an untapped emotion that came when Carolina started turning up the pressure. Vegas can't allow that to happen for the remainder of the series. If they get complacent, well, let's just say you're not getting any silver by the end of June.
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