Before Game 4 against the Anaheim Ducks, the Vegas Golden Knights were doing well on the penalty kill. They only allowed one power play goal and used a sweeping array of faceoffs won, clean exits, and restricted space to suffocate their opponents.
But after Game 4? Four goals allowed in three games. Granted, the Golden Knights won two of three games, advancing to the Western Conference Final along the way. However, something changed.
They were missing something. Think about Jeremy Lauzon for a second and his impact on the unit. You want someone who can hit their opponents and can move their opponents away from high-danger chances. Sure, you got William Karlsson for that. But why not add another skilled player in this regard?
That's especially true with the Colorado Avalanche as your next opponent. Now, you're facing off against Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and company, which have a ton of offense. Not only that, but they were the NHL's best team during the regular season. So, let's start by taking the first baby step and seeing how the Golden Knights can thrive on the penalty kill.
Why the Vegas Golden Knights need their penalty kill to shine against the Colorado Avalanche
When you have a team loaded with superstars such as Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas, and Cale Makar, you're bound to also have one of the better power play units around. That's not even mentioning how Brock Nelson exists for the Avalanche, making the group 10 times better.
That's especially true when your unit converts on one-fourth of its power play opportunities during the postseason (tied for fifth during this postseason). Therefore, the objective is clear: stop the Avalanche from converting on anything.
Of course, those aren't the only weapons that Vegas should watch out for. For example, there's Nick Blankenburg, a defenseman who excels at setting up scoring opportunities. He can find holes in opposing defenses and pick them apart, leading to goals near the bumper.
How the Vegas Golden Knights can mitigate this problem
Obviously, you'd wish for Jeremy Lauzon to be in this situation. The defenseman hasn't played since Game 6 against the Utah Mammoth, leaving a void on the penalty kill. You add a physical presence with him and can take away space.
But it's more than that. It's also winning faceoffs and making clean exits. You want to eat up as much time as possible on the penalty kill, taking away as much space along the way. That's where players like Nic Dowd and Colton Sissons come into play, for they're capable of immediately winning possession and taking time off the clock.
The Golden Knights will have a challenge on their hands without a full team. Not having Mark Stone or Jeremy Lauzon for a stretch of games will make life more challenging. Still, it's on the penalty kill to mitigate the pain and make life much easier. That way, Vegas can find a crack in the armor and exploit it to the fullest.
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