Golden Knights Stanley Cup Final Gameday Preview: Game 2 at Hurricanes

Welcome to another Vegas Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup Final Gameday Preview! After a back-and-forth Game 1 win, the Golden Knights look to pick up their eighth-straight win in the postseason, while at the same time, grabbing a 2-0 lead on the Carolina Hurricanes before the series moves to Vegas. Needless to say, there is a lot on the line in Game 2.

Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup Final Gameday Preview: Game 2 at Hurricanes (Vegas Leads, 1-0)

If Game 1 was any indication, we are in for a fun and exciting series. The Hurricanes jumped out to a 2-0 lead before the Golden Knights responded with three goals of their own. After that, it was “punch, counter-punch.” Tomas Hertl broke the tie with 3:24 left, and a Jack Eichel blocked shot in the final seconds preserved the win for Vegas. In the process, the Golden Knights became the first road team in NHL history to rally from multiple goals down to win Game 1 of a Final.

“Obviously, when you score a game-winner it’s a pretty nice touch, but I’m just proud about our team effort, every single guy. It’s not always about the goals, it’s just the details. Massive blocked shots, all the little stick saves, all at this time of the year matters. After a rusty start I think we did a lot of good things.”

Game 2 Projected Lineup (Subject to Change)

• Ivan Barbashev – Jack Eichel – Pavel Dorofeyev
• Brett Howden – William Karlsson – Mitch Marner
• Tomas Hertl – Colton Sissons – Mark Stone
• Cole Smith – Nic Dowd – Keegan Kolesar
  
• Brayden McNabb – Shea Theodore
• Noah Hanifin – Rasmus Andersson
• Jeremy Lauzon – Dylan Coghlan
  
• Carter Hart/Adin Hill

Team Leaders

Marner leads the team in points (22) and plus/minus rating (plus-12). Howden’s Game 1 goal put him ahead in goals with 11. Eichel leads with 17 assists. Lastly, among the skaters, Smith leads with 22 penalty minutes.

In goal, Hart continues to be the only Vegas goaltender to play in the playoffs. In 17 games, he has posted 13 wins alongside a 2.33 goals-against average (GAA) and a .920 save percentage (SV%).

Storyline #1 – Defensive Improvements

Both teams possess high-scoring potential, but while a 5-4 final is not unexpected, the defensive breakdowns were. The Golden Knights gave up the first goal after a turnover created a two-on-one rush for the Hurricanes. They gave up the second by allowing Nikolaj Ehlers to get behind the defense and score on a breakaway.

The rough defensive performance follows a series in which the Golden Knights shut down the dangerous Colorado Avalanche. The Golden Knights showcased their ability to clog passing and skating lanes and block shots. To beat the Hurricanes again in Game 2, the Golden Knights will need to tighten things up defensively.

Storyline #2 – Depth Scoring

The Golden Knights’ Game 1 comeback was fueled by depth scoring. Theodore got the team on the board late in the first period, cutting the Carolina lead in half. Karlsson gave Vegas their first lead of the game early in the second period. Then the cherry on top was Hertl’s game-winning goal late in the third period.

In a game where Dorofeyev and Marner did not put the puck in the back of the net, the Golden Knights needed others to step up. They got that. They now have the opportunity to take a 2-0 lead back home for the second-straight series. To accomplish that, they will need the depth scoring to emerge once again.

Storyline #3 – Expose the Hurricanes

The Hurricanes steamrolled through the first three rounds of the playoffs. They needed just 13 games to eliminate the Ottawa Senators, Philadelphia Flyers, and Montreal Canadiens. All three teams are talented and will remain in the playoff picture for seasons to come. However, the Hurricanes are miles ahead of them talent-wise. Those were teams they should have had, and their 12-2 record should not surprise anyone.

The Golden Knights are the biggest challenge the Hurricanes are facing in the playoffs. The Hurricanes are more than capable of beating them, but Game 1 showed us something important. The Golden Knights played perhaps their worst game of the playoffs, and still won. Furthermore, the Hurricanes have a reputation for falling apart in the playoffs. Yes, they got over the hump in the Eastern Conference Final, but following Game 1, there is likely some buzz around the team about whether they can overcome the loss.

The Golden Knights, meanwhile, have already overcome adversity. They overcame a 2-1 deficit in Round 1, won the final two games of Round 2 without McNabb, then faced the Presidents’ Trophy winners in Round 3.

The Golden Knights need to keep the pressure on the Hurricanes in Game 2. Make them step up in the big moment or see if they crumble under the pressure. The Hurricanes are capable of overcoming this challenge, but the Golden Knights need to make them prove themselves.

How to Watch

Game 2 starts at 5:00 P.M. Pacific Time. The game can be viewed on ABC.

Check back with The Hockey Writers for more coverage as the Stanley Cup Final continues!