If there was ever a time for the Vegas Golden Knights to break out of their current funk, this is it.
If there was ever a time for the Vegas Golden Knights to break out of their current funk, this is it.
On Saturday, the Golden Knights begin a run of four straight games against Pacific Division rivals before the Olympic break, beginning with the Seattle Kraken.
Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, NV
Date: Saturday, January 31
Time: 7:00 pm PST
How To Watch: ESPN+, SCRIPPS
Radio: 1340 AM, 94.7 FM
The last game against the Dallas Stars saw the Golden Knights play out a similar script. Despite mounting an impressive three-goal comeback, the Golden Knights came up short in the shootout to drop five of their last six games. With a string of divisional opponents coming up, this is the perfect time to get back on the right track.
Here is how the Golden Knights can regain the momentum in this clash of the NHL’s newest teams.
60-minute effort
The inspired third period against the Stars was a positive, but the Golden Knights have had to rely on their closing prowess too often.
Over the last few games, the Golden Knights have found themselves in holes early on, with some being too big to crawl out of. The heroics from Reilly Smith, Ivan Barbashev and Mitch Marner were appreciated, but Bruce Cassidy would love to not have to rely on another third period like that. Expect the Golden Knights to push early to put their stamp on the game and take the pressure off of them to chase.
Break through
Goaltending for both teams have not gone nearly the way either fanbase was expecting heading into the season.
The Kraken currently rank in the top five with a .909 team save percentage, with Joey Daccord and Philipp Grubauer both having solid seasons. On the other hand, the Golden Knights are only ahead of the Ottawa Senators with a .880 save percentage, with Adin Hill struggling to the tune of .855 (the lowest of any goaltender with five or more games played). The home team will have to be both opportunistic and responsible to prevent any mistakes ending in their own net.
Home cooking
T-Mobile Arena has not been kind to the Kraken since the team’s inception in 2021.
In nine trips to Vegas, the Golden Knights have only fallen to the NHL’s youngest team once. That leaves the psychological edge squarely with the Golden Knights, which they hope to use to their advantage. If the home team sets the tone early and gets the crowd into the game, they will be in great shape.
Category: General Sports
