Instead of asking what I don’t know about the Vegas Golden Knights as they stand on the precipice of the postseason, I’ve decided to write about what I DO know about them. Most people look at square footage, I’m looking for the writing on the wall. Here’s some of what the walls have been telling me:
1. VGK can be vulnerable in slot, especially when play originates from below the goal line.
There’s a heavy traffic cone vibe in this area of the ice for the Golden Knights. They have a tendency to get mesmerized by activities conducted below the goal line, be that the puck itself or the 50/50 battles along the boards. When the battle is won and the puck gets sent to the front, it’s almost like it takes whoever is (supposed to be) covering by surprise. All you need is a split second of a step or apprehensive thought to win the play and beat your mark. The D/C/weakside wing tasked with covering that area needs to have their head on a swivel for crashers sniffing for a one timer or finishing a rebound that pops past the first layer of garbage collectors. Or you could just avoid this situation all together by getting the puck above the goal line before the first forecheck initiates physical contact with the puck carrier.
Quick breakouts are the best way to prevent getting trapped in your own defensive zone. It’s about the D recognizing where the pressure is coming from and collecting/dishing basically all in one motion. But it’s not all on the D. The wingers on the wall or the center swooping low as an option are where this battle is won and lost. If they’re not ready for the pass body position wise, or too antsy from potential pressure from a pinching D, that puck is going to be coughed up. Lots of little things have to fall into place on every rep on every breakout and we haven’t even touched on how affected decision making is on individual and team confidence. When in doubt, chip it out … that’s how I coach em’ up when dealing with a smothering forecheck such as…
2. VGK can be easily trappable to below goal line play with a heavy 2-1-2 forecheck.
It’s the most standard forecheck in the game. F1 goes hard into initial puck battle to pin the D, F2 collects the puck from the pin or supports the battle, and F3 chills in the slot and shifts to strong or weakside of the battle depending on what happens with F2. Forechecking with that level of hustle and commitment requires just as much mental energy as it does physical. Depending on how the game unfolds, it isn’t always possible let alone efficient to allocate your energy to that strategy. But it’s a worthy cause and an operation that can run itself. If you create enough chaotic energy in the Golden Knights’ D zone, THEY go with YOUR flow instead of dictating their own.
3. VGK prioritizes blocking shots/being loose to turn up ice over tying up bodies in front.
a. Blocking shots is all fine and dandy as long as you (ALWAYS) get a piece of the puck and you don’t take yourself too far out of position in a micro must win scenario. Just like anything in life, intention does not guarantee result. The more players get out of position, the more chaotic the defensive zone gets as opposing players find open space and extra opportunities to keep the play/possession alive.
b. The Golden Knights currently dedicate $12 million dollars of cap space to All-Star caliber goaltenders - 14.7% of the teams cap. As a goaltender myself, I’m going to let you in on a secret: we like being hit with pucks. I’m not saying never block shots, but opting to sell out for the shooting lane to save our goalies from the pucks they are paid to (and love to) stop is straight up not the best utilization of hockey resources. Taking the puck is the goalie’s responsibility, hence, the big expensive pads. Taking the body is the skater’s responsibility, that’s what the hockey butts are for. Hold yourself to be situationally aware and accountable to the mark rather than their will. Preventing your opposition’s ability to finish rebounds should be the priority because we trust our goaltenders to make the first save.
4. Alex Tuch can will himself to make one of the hardest plays in hockey on a shiftly basis: Splitting the D.
a. It’s no secret how impactful and rare Alex Tuch’s speed/size/skill set is. It’s about unlocking and unleashing it at the right times on a consistent basis. Straight up, it’s really hard to catch D off guard these days. Beyond the fact that every team is working with a dissertation-level amount of knowledge of their divisional opponents this year. If you’re an opposing coach, you’re not doing your job if you don’t have a plan for jamming Tuch up or at least knocking him off his game.
Alex Tuch slices through the D
b. Ideally VGK D would hit Tuch as he gains speed cutting across (East/West) the neutral zone before gathering the puck and turning his force of a body up ice (North/South). I call it the "Tuch & Go Freight Train". He needs time, space, and confidence to get this going, but most importantly he needs to have someone who can get him that puck. This move requires a high level of hockey vision and in-moment discipline. He also needs someone who can skate with him, who ideally is a big enough scoring threat himself to draw pressure away from Tuch being keyed in on. If the scoring touch isn’t there, that’s okay, as long as he can keep up and find ways to maintain possession until the right moment comes to literally SEND IT.
5. VGK is money in OT.
If there was a lowkey stat to pump the tires a little bit, it’s the Golden Knights' flawless 9-0 record in games decided in overtime this season. Little stat lines like that give you an extra layer of confidence, or at the very least maintain free rent space in your opponents' heads should games require extra time in the playoffs (SoOo rare amirite). I know I know ... 3v3 ain’t the way we set the buffet table in the playoffs, but it’s all about that belief in self. There will be adjustments, because we know that 5v5 is a very different hockey game especially in the pressure cooker that is the Stanley Cup playoffs. We are looking for slivers of difference here, a fraction of a percent for an advantage, because that’s all it takes and its what remains at this point of the journey. Ride or die with the death part stuffed wayyyyy back in that adrenaline-laced brain of yours. Destiny doesn’t wait for anyone who can’t envision the catch past the chase.
6. Alec Martinez is the key to VGK’s defensive corps.
a. Martinez has been the most consistent defenseman for the team this season and we don’t talk about it enough. This team is in a VERY different place without him on this roster.
b. He’s a guy that can play with every D in the lineup while also enabling his partners to play their best game. This is most apparent when he and Shea Theodore are paired together. Martinez takes care of so much defensive responsibility on a shift-by-shift basis. He doesn’t overextend himself or play outside of his game. He makes simple concise decisions. This extends even to the timing of his shot release on the PP when they feed it to him on the half wall, because he’s such an underrated offensive threat.
Alec Martinez - PP Goal
He knows when to crash and when to back off on a puck battle or juicy offensive opportunity, as he doesn’t have the support of players arriving on a line change. And don’t get me started about his shot blocking mastery. I have nothing but respect for that, but he isn’t wearing the same equipment as I’m used to as a goaltender. Sometimes he puts himself and his body on the line too much. Bruises add up.
c. His partners don’t have to overthink or second guess pinching down hard on a contested puck creeping up the boards in the offensive zone or skating the puck themselves on a breakout. They know Martinez is going to play responsible defense, or at the very least has the abilities to get back in time if a mistake is made. A player who makes teammates better when they’re on the ice is a rare talent. He holds Stanley Cup experience and has a history of producing on the biggest stage and under the brightest of lights. This section originally started as a re-sign Martinez in the offseason point, but that’s a different part of the same conversation for a different day.
7. Stretch passes are your friend, but not the one you need to hit up to hang every weekend.
Shea Theodore LOVES this play in moments where he catches the opposition on an ill-timed change or broken play. Chandler Stephenson is the guy you draw up this play for and Mark Stone is capable of making that pass as much as he is collecting it himself. This area of opportunity is where you see the next level hockey IQ on display the most. Sending the puck up quickly through the neutral zone with the talent on this roster is going to create problems for whoever they face. It’s also something you can’t continually go back to the well on. There was a play against the St. Louis Blues last week where Alex Pietrangelo read an obvious stretch play through the neutral zone. He stepped up and intercepted the puck before dishing off to Stephenson for a shorthanded goal. That’s the play the Golden Knights need to avoid. The stretch pass is a lethal tool that VGK wields better than most, but if attempted too frequently or in the wrong situation, it’s one that can blow up directly in your face. The Golden Knights usually know how to pick the moments, but if they get frazzled and desperate or cocky and complacent, they are no stranger to making a boneheaded play that their health insurance does not cover.
Alex Pietrangelo - 2018 All-Star Skills Challenge