Tuch, Haula battling for second-line role with Golden Knights

By Jesse Granger

Friday, Sept. 28, 2018 | 2 a.m.

With two preseason games remaining, Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant is putting the finishing touches on his lineup.

Only a few spots have yet to be decided, with the most notable being the right winger for the second line. It’s a given the line will be centered by Paul Stastny and flanked on the left by Max Pacioretty, but the third spot is up for grabs.

Saturday in San Jose, Erik Haula skated with the line, and Monday at home against Colorado it was Alex Tuch’s turn. Both played well with Stastny and Pacioretty, leaving Gallant with a tough decision to make in the final two exhibition contests.

“It’s too early to tell,” Gallant said. “They’re trying to get chemistry between the guys. Haula and Tuch are both guys that skate real well, move the puck and shoot the puck real well. They’re different players but they have a lot that’s the same.”

In Vegas’ 5-4 shootout win over San Jose, Haula spent 15:42 on the ice with Stastny and 15:34 with Pacioretty. Haula scored a goal that came from a beautiful assist by Stastny, and together the three created eight scoring chances for while having seven against Vegas while they were on the ice.

In a 5-3 loss to Colorado Tuch spent 11:13 on the ice with both Stastny and Pacioretty. Tuch had a highlight reel-worthy assist where he entered the Avalanche zone and lasered a pass through two defenders onto the stick of Pacioretty, who scored the easy one-timer goal.

“I could barely even see it,” Stastny said, describing the play. “You don’t see it coming or expect it, and he rifles it so hard the defense didn’t see it. It was an unbelievable play.”

The three combined to create two scoring chances while giving up four on the other end.

“It was really good. We got a couple of kinks out in the first period,” Tuch said. “It’s something to build off and we’ll see what happens going forward.”

And while the stats weren’t great for the line during the loss to Colorado, they certainly passed the eye test. Stastny captaining the ship with speedsters Pacioretty and Tuch flying down his wings put strain on the Avalanche defense and was difficult to deal with. If not for a few bounces, the trio would have scored more.

“Anytime you get the puck to (Tuch) in the neutral zone, you know he’s going to be gone,” Stastny said. “Whether you give him a direct pass or an indirect pass where he can skate to it. He’s so powerful he can almost lean on the guy and not put himself in a bad position and start with puck possession.”

Both Stastny and Pacioretty agree they can play well with either Haula or Tuch.

“I don’t think there is much of a difference,” Pacioretty said. “Both are great skaters and both of them are fast on the forecheck. They play similar styles of game and that’s why they had success, especially on this team.”

It will be interesting to see how Gallant approaches the final two preseason games. The Golden Knights host the Kings on Friday and the Sharks Sunday. It would be beneficial to decide prior to the final game so the line can have a chance to build chemistry before the Oct. 4 regular season opener.

Whomever he chooses, the Golden Knights will have one of the most formidable second lines in the NHL.

“I think the more you play with a guy, whether it’s practice or games, you know where they’re going to be when you’re crossing in the neutral zone and defensively down low,” Stastny said. “Both guys are powerful skaters. Both guys get on the puck. Both guys are easy to play with because they’re so aggressive and they work for you.”