The Golden Knights opened their four-game road trip with consecutive strong performances on the penalty kill, going a perfect 6-for-6 Tuesday in a 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins after limiting Boston to one goal on four chances — including a five-minute major — in a shootout loss Monday.
The unit had surrendered a power-play goal in six straight games from Oct. 15-27 before snapping the streak Friday against New Jersey, though the Devils still won 5-2. Coach Ryan Craig held a 35-minute practice Saturday focused on defensive details before the team traveled east.
Craig said the difference has been aggressiveness, timely clears and good details. "We got some timely saves, but our aggressiveness has been good," Craig said. "We've been able to roll through some guys. We've been able to start with some clears early, which can put them back on their heels. Just good details on it."
Against Pittsburgh, the Knights killed a 5-on-3 lasting 1:22 after defensemen Brayden McNabb and Jeremy Lauzon took penalties 38 seconds apart. Goaltender Adin Hill made key saves throughout, and William Karlsson said the group has become "a bit synchronized." "We're reading each other," Karlsson said. "When we got beat, we had 'Hilly' in net making huge saves. A little bit of skill and luck."
Forward Mitch Marner said the Knights pressured well and focused on taking away passing lanes when not pressing. "I think we really liked what we were doing," Marner said. "It just seems like we just got to make one extra play, one extra clear and we're good." Vegas earned three of four possible points on the back-to-back.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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