The Golden Knights have rediscovered their footing just in time for a showdown with one of the NHL’s hottest teams. After a six-loss stretch in seven games dropped them to third in the Pacific Division, Vegas responded with back-to-back wins by a combined 10-2 over Pittsburgh and Chicago. Now they sit one point behind first-place Anaheim, with the Edmonton Oilers lurking one point back.
“I think when you win a couple, and it had been a long time,” coach Bruce Cassidy said, “you always feel good about your game. It’s just natural.”
The Knights (31-22-14) host the Buffalo Sabres (41-20-6) on Tuesday at T-Mobile Arena. Buffalo leads the Atlantic Division and begins a four-game Western road trip. The Sabres bring the league’s sixth-best power play since March 1, which will test a Vegas penalty kill that has killed 19 of 20 shorthanded situations since March 3 — a 95 percent rate that leads the NHL in that span.
Pacific Division Tightens
Despite the recent slide, the Knights have built a six-point cushion above the playoff cutline. The division race remains wide open: Seattle holds the second wild card at 71 points, San Jose is one point back with a game in hand, and Los Angeles sits two points behind Seattle. The Kraken and Kings have played two fewer games than Edmonton, while San Jose has three in hand.
“It wasn’t an easy stretch for us,” center Tomas Hertl said. “Even like before in Dallas (a 2-1 loss to the Stars), I think we played really good hockey. We’ve won two games, and we definitely have (a) better feeling, and we need to keep it up.”
Hill Anchors the Turnaround
Goaltender Adin Hill has been central to the resurgence, delivering four straight quality starts including a 21-save shutout against Chicago on Saturday. The Knights have also gotten stronger play at even strength, though Hertl acknowledged room for improvement: “I think we still have a little more (to give). We’d prefer more full 60-minute games.”
Cassidy, asked if he’s as satisfied as a coach can be, joked that “coaches are never happy.” But he sees progress. “It’s only been a few games, but some of those losses, I felt we were taking steps,” he said. “I think everybody feels the same way. We’ve got a good group.”
After Buffalo, the Knights face a challenging stretch: a potential first-round preview against Utah on Thursday, then three games in four days against Central Division opponents Nashville, Dallas, and Winnipeg.
Up next
Who: Sabres at Golden Knights
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday
Where: T-Mobile Arena
TV: KMCC-34
Radio: KFLG 94.7 FM/KKGK 1340 AM
Line: Knights -130; total 6 ½
