FSM Essential Preview: Golden Knights vs Ducks - Game 2

FSM Essential Preview: Golden Knights vs Ducks – Game 2

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The Vegas Golden Knights take on the Anaheim Ducks in game two of their two game series to open the 2020-21 season.  VGK currently stands at 1-0 after their 5-2 defeat of the Ducks on Thursday night in the opener.

Let the Chess match begin. Every team is scheduled to play a two, three, or four game series against each divisional foe. That is how the entire season will be. As I mentioned in a previous article, teams are going to get sick of each other and it will show on the ice. Teams will need to have the right level of aggression and discipline.

In previous seasons, if a player did not like the way another player hit him, he would get the jersey number, and file for future use. Now future use is in as little as twenty – four hours and could repeat itself in forty – eight, and seventy – two more hours. Coaches will have a far greater challenge when comparing to past regular seasons. Every game will have parallels to the playoffs. Finish the game, short time to prep to play the next game against the same team (in most cases), and try to prepare for the adjustments the other coaching staff has been preparing for your team. It will be interesting to see how the coaches handle this.

From the inexperienced to the most experienced coaches, it will be fun to see how each individual coach handles the game-to-game preparation.

I believe experience will prevail; however, we could see a new school mindset where teams mix up their roster from game to game with their taxi squads. As I stated before, the chess match.

The Ducks seemed to have a bend / do not break game plan on Thursday night. It worked for two periods, however, VGK broke the game wide open in the third period. Expect Anaheim to bring more energy from the opening faceoff. It is clear there is a wide gap between the Ducks and Golden Knights as far as skill goes, how can Anaheim overcome that? It will take the right mix of aggression and patience. Anaheim will have to get their stars on the ice against VGK’s third and fourth lines. However, that means VGK can utilize the last change and get their top-six forwards against Anaheim’s bottom lines.

VGK got off to a quick start and the wheels seemed to come off for a stretch in the first period on Thursday night.

The second period was like watching a boring beer league game. They finally came to life in the third and dominated. VGK will get a sixth defenseman for tonight’s game which will also help.

The boys seemed loose and having fun. Ryan Reaves was in full “Ryan Reaves” mode during his intermission interview claiming he saw Tomas Nosek all the way…on his behind the back – no look pass – between his legs – assist. Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty were exchanging playful jabs in the post-game presser. When VGK is having fun, they are hard to beat. Let us see how much fun they have tonight.

VGK and Anaheim will close their two-game set tonight at T-Mobile Arena. The puck drop is set for 7 p.m. on AT&T SportsNet and FOX Sports Las Vegas 98.9/1340.

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-Chris Gawlik – Franchise Sports Media

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