Three keys as road-tripping Golden Knights look to build on first win

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Monday, Oct. 8, 2018 | 2 a.m.

As shocking as their opening-night loss was, the Golden Knights proved they still have a little magic in them with a last-minute comeback and shootout win at Minnesota on Saturday. Now, Vegas will look to keep the momentum going through the next four games — all on the road — before they return home on Oct. 16.

What did we learn from the win in Minnesota, and what will it mean for the rest of the road trip?

Defense responds

After allowing five goals to Philadelphia in a performance that led head coach Gerard Gallant to label the defense “soft,” the Knights responded with a rock-solid showing against a Minnesota team that had given them problems in the past.

Vegas allowed 30 shots on goal, but the defense gave goalie Marc-Andre Fleury a chance to stop them — unlike opening night, when Fleury was repeatedly hung out to dry. In overtime, the defense successfully killed off a power play to get to the shootout, which Vegas won via an Erik Haula goal.

Maybe more so than win-loss results, it will be a great sign if Vegas can maintain that level of defensive intensity for the rest of the road trip. If the team continues to grind in its own end and limit scoring chances, it will show that there is no hangover from the Stanley Cup Final loss and that the Knights are ready to put in another long season of hard work.

New faces

It didn’t take long for Max Pacioretty to endear himself to the Vegas fan base, as his goal in the final minute tied the game, 1-1, and sent the contest to overtime. In addition to the goal, Pacioretty teamed with Paul Stastny and Haula on a line that produced consistent scoring chances against Minnesota.

The faster Pacioretty gets settled in, the better for the Knights. With key players Alex Tuch (injury) and Nate Schmidt (suspension) set to come back over the next month or so — Tuch could conceivably be back by the end of the road trip, as Gallant termed his injury “week to week” — it would keep the moving parts to a minimum.

Collecting points

Picking up two points in Minnesota — against a team that Vegas couldn’t beat last year — was big. With that win already in the back pocket, Vegas only has to scrape together another three points or so to make this a successful trip, and then the Knights won’t face another road trip this long or this difficult for the rest of the season.

Monday’s game at Buffalo might present the best opportunity to bank another victory. The Sabres have been awful in recent years, though they’re coming off a win over the New York Rangers on Saturday. After that, the degree of difficulty rises with games at Washington (Wednesday), Pittsburgh (Thursday) and Philadelphia (Saturday). That gauntlet will look a lot less daunting if Vegas can take care of business at Buffalo.

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.