Welcome to another Vegas Golden Knights Gameday Preview. After splitting the first two games at home, the Golden Knights now travel to Salt Lake City, where the Utah Mammoth will be hosting their inaugural playoff game since relocating in Game 3 of their first-round series.
Golden Knights’ Playoff Gameday Preview: Game 3 at Mammoth (Series Tied 1-1)
The Golden Knights missed a chance to pressure the Mammoth in Game 2 on Tuesday. A late goal from Logan Cooley secured Utah’s 3-2 victory. The Mammoth impressed, outshooting Vegas 13-4 in the second period. Any concern about them being intimidated by the 2023 Cup champions is gone. Vegas forward Brett Howden acknowledged this after Game 2:
“We played our game for the most part in the first half, then kind of got away from it. They obviously had a push. They’re a good team, and we knew this wasn’t going to be easy. I think just trying to continue some more play in the offensive zone and hanging onto the puck (will help). We’ll try to regroup here and be ready to go.”
Golden Knights’ Game 3 Projected Lineup (Subject to Change)
- Ivan Barbashev – Jack Eichel – Mark Stone
- Brett Howden – Mitch Marner – Pavel Dorofeyev
- Reilly Smith – Tomas Hertl – Keegan Kolesar
- Cole Smith – Nic Dowd – Colton Sissons
- Brayden McNabb – Shea Theodore
- Noah Hanifin – Rasmus Andersson
- Jeremy Lauzon – Kaedan Korczak
- Carter Hart/Adin Hill
Golden Knights’ Playoff Team Leaders
Six players share the points lead: Stone, Marner, Hanifin, Eichel, Barbashev, and Sissons. Stone and Barbashev lead the team with two goals each, while Marner, Hanifin, and Eichel each have two assists. Lauzon and Andersson top the list of penalty minutes with four. Finally, Sissons and Smith hold a plus-2 rating.
So far, Hart has been the sole goaltender to see action for Vegas, and he’s posting a 2.56 goals-against average (GAA) and a .935 save percentage (SV%).
Storyline #1- Cool Down Cooley
The Mammoth have several offensive threats, but Cooley is the most dangerous. The 21-year-old is on a hot streak with three goals and four points in his last five games, including the Game 2 winner.
Vegas needs to cool down Cooley, but this will be harder on the road. As the home team, Mammoth head coach Andre Tourigny is expected to match Cooley with more favorable opponents. His speed is his biggest asset. Vegas should dictate the pace, and if they can slow down Cooley, they will have a strong chance to win the game and series.
Storyline #2- Regrouping Under Tortorella
The Golden Knights have played great since John Tortorella took over as head coach on March 29. The loss in Game 2 was their first regulation loss under Tortorella. Now, the Golden Knights must prove they can handle adversity on the road, especially after losing home-ice advantage and while visiting a city hosting its first-ever Stanley Cup Playoff game.
The Mammoth may have the energy and momentum, but the Golden Knights are experienced and led by a seasoned coach. That experience should help them block out distractions and focus on winning.
Storyline #3- The “Hart” of the First Two Games
Hart has been strong to start the series. Even in the Game 2 loss, he stopped 26 shots, marking his first loss under Tortorella. Hart simply needs to show he can shake it off and keep playing strong in net. The Utah crowd will be rocking, and an early/or otherwise bad goal allowed will tip the momentum even further towards the Mammoth. It will be critical for Hart to step up in this big moment.
How to Watch Golden Knights vs. Mammoth Game 3
The game can be seen on SCRIPPS locally. Nationally, it airs on TBS. It will also be available on HBO Max.
Be sure to check back with The Hockey Writers for more playoff coverage.
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