The Vegas Golden Knights are better than this and they know it

Remember when we outlined a detailed game plan for the Vegas Golden Knights to follow earlier on Tuesday? Game 1 might've been a win for the Golden Knights. However, the Minnesota Wild hung around until the last second.

Well, it seems that three first-period goals were enough for the Wild to do the Golden Knights in. The result? A 5-2 loss and the series is tied. Vegas got "The Dud." Not an ideal look for a fully healthy team looking to win another Stanley Cup.

It didn't help that Matt Boldy scored his gazillionth (okay, it was only his third) goal in the first period. He's starting to figure things out with Kirill Kaprizov, which will become a massive problem if Vegas isn't careful.

There are also the giveaways, which were an issue throughout the season. On Tuesday, Vegas had five giveaways in the first period. They also got a taste of their own medicine from Minnesota, who had 11 blocked shots in the first period.

Overall, it was a disastrous game for the home team. It was uninspired play along the boards and in the neutral zone. Suddenly, fans are panicking like the series is over.

Shea Theodore must stop turning the puck over

A major problem with the Golden Knights throughout the night was Shea Theodore. He had a -4 rating and was responsible for a majority of the Wild's goals. This goal by Mats Zuccarello was a shining example.

A simple whiff of a pass caused that goal. A whiff. It was akin to having Joey Gallo on the blue line, where he struck out on a still puck.

Overall, it was an awful night for the defenseman, who had two giveaways. What stings more are those defensive zone giveaways like the Zuccarello goal. Those can deflate a team's chances quickly, leaving them to play catch-up.

But Theodore isn't the only Golden Knights player who must step up. Jack Eichel doesn't have a single point in this series. In fact, the top line hasn't shown up at all. Eichel, Mark Stone, and Ivan Barbashev don't have a single point combined. Something must change with that unit, whether it's swapping out Stone or Barbashev for someone else or one of the players shooting more. Maybe giving them more ice time will help? Who knows.

Heck, even Brayden McNabb was called for holding. Overall, it was a mediocre performance from a team that knows better.

Thank goodness it's one game for the Vegas Golden Knights

While the Vegas Golden Knights tried mounting a comeback, it wasn't enough. Tomas Hertl and Noah Hanifin tried rallying the troops for a historic victory. That's what competitors do in the art of sport, you know. However, it wasn't enough as the Golden Knights fell short.

Ironically, the game would've been much closer if it hadn't been for that first period. The home team, particularly Shea Theodore, was caught napping in the first 30 minutes. Giveaways and being suffocated in the offensive zone early were some of the things that ended Vegas in Game 2.

The good news? It's a seven-game series. It's only one game. Yes, the Minnesota Wild got the better of the Pacific Division champions on Tuesday. They took the lead early and never let go. But this is one game that can be used as a teachable moment for Bruce Cassidy. His team can learn about not playing down to their opponents and leaving no doubt.

Still, winning the Stanley Cup means playing the full 60 minutes. If you want the best trophy in sports, the foot should never be off the gas pedal.

No "gap periods."

No giving your opponents pity.

Cassidy's group knows that. Cassidy himself knows that. Here's hoping that Game 3 lights a fire underneath their rear ends.