I was watching the Super Bowl in February 2024. My team, the 49ers, was playing the Kansas City Chiefs. The 49ers had a 10-0 lead in the first quarter and life was good!
Of course, you had Patrick Mahomes on the other side, who did his usual shtick. However, you also had Kyle Shanahan, who led the team to squander said 10-0 lead. The result? The Chiefs are back-to-back Super Bowl champions.
Lo and behold, the Vegas Golden Knights were in a similar situation on Tuesday. They were up, 2-0, in the first period. After that came four unanswered goals from the Edmonton Oilers as they took Game 1. Corey Perry, Leon Draisaitl, Connor Brown, and Zach Hyman all scored for the Oilers.
No, this isn't saying that Bruce Cassidy is Kyle Shanahan. In fact, he has something the 49ers coach doesn't: An actual championship. However, the Golden Knights did their best impression of a team that fell flaccid after getting a comfortable lead.
Now, they don't have home-ice advantage anymore and must take it back against Edmonton. Now, they must figure out Draisaitl and the newfound depth of their hated adversaries. Now is the time to get it together and figure out where you stand. The thing is that the Golden Knights haven't had a true dominating win this postseason and it has shown.
Playoff Mark Stone has arrived
Mark Stone hasn't done much of substance during the first round. He didn't have a single point in the first three games, being held in check with his top linemates, Jack Eichel and Ivan Barbashev. However, he got two first-period goals (including a power play goal!) that set the tone for the Golden Knights. That included this beauty to make it a 2-0 lead.
Mark Stone makes a great move and rifles one home for his second goal of the game, 2-0 Vegas early!#VegasBorn | #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/HHBBPYqfAu
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) May 7, 2025
A blistering shot near the high slot gave Vegas a cushion against a vaunted Edmonton Oilers team. Make that four goals and two assists in the last four games for the Captain, who's suddenly finding his stride.
Tuesday's game proves that magical things happen when Stone shoots the puck more. He can create opportunities for himself and his teammates while getting much-needed goals on the board. On top of that, it helps the Golden Knights go toe-to-toe with a challenging Oilers top line.
Now, let's get to the ugly side...
The Golden Knights need more offensive pressure after the first period
Having one shot on goal in the second period is simply unacceptable. You know the Edmonton Oilers are coming in hot with Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. So why put up a weak front and not muster any offense? If the Vegas Golden Knights are to win the series, that must change.
That means not letting the Oilers hang out in your defensive zone for extended periods. You must dominate all three zones and play an up-tempo game. This isn't the Minnesota Wild, where you're trying to figure out an aggressive forecheck. The Oilers are an "all gas, no brakes" team and outshooting you 28-17 isn't cutting it.
Most of all, play the full 60 minutes of hockey. It doesn't matter if you're trying to fend off an offensive onslaught with 10 or fewer seconds left or trying to play clean. Come up with a way to dominate and take the game by the horns. Otherwise, you'll become similar to Kyle Shanahan's 49ers, only with a Stanley Cup.