Carter Hart knew the best word to describe the Vegas Golden Knights: Resilient.
It is what they have been in this Western Conference Final against Colorado, a best-of-seven series the Knights lead 2-0 heading to Game 3 on Sunday night at T-Mobile Arena.
“We’ve stuck in games and grinded it out and just battled,” said Hart, the goalie who is having a terrific series thus far. “We’re never out of the fight and always in games.”
They proved so again Friday when Colorado held a 1-0 advantage after two periods, a game the Knights would win 3-1.
When they lost defenseman Brayden McNabb for most of the first period and all of the second with injury.
When the crowd at Ball Arena sensed something good might be happening for the home team.
But perhaps no side in hockey this season has been better than the Knights when having to provide some late-game theatrics. You just always get this feeling they’re about to turn things around over the final 20 minutes.
“Our guys know what to do, I’m going to tell you that right now,” Knights coach John Tortorella said. “No matter what’s going on. We’re going to face some things in Game 3, but we have a good room. That’s what you rest on. At least that’s what I rest on. We trust them. The biggest thing is they trust themselves.”
They really trust Hart right now.
Provides security
He has been nothing short of stellar in net, keeping the Knights in both games and giving them a chance to win until they begin making plays down the stretch of things.
It’s true the Knights are blocking shots like nobody’s business — a must in playoff hockey — but Hart has provided the security needed when things break down.
And they eventually do for all teams.
But this is also true: The Knights have held Colorado’s high-powered attack to just three goals in two games.
That’s beyond something.
“We’ve had some pretty good goaltending, let’s get that out of the way,” Tortorella said. “Carter has been very good these first two games. We faced a lot of pressure in (Game 2), a lot of time in our zone. We did a pretty good job in the middle of the ice. A lot of action was going on there.
“We’re just trying to play. There’s not a lot of adjusting. We’re trying to play our game the way we feel we need to play.”
Perhaps nothing showed resiliency more than when McNabb had to depart and the Knights were left with five defensemen for such an extended period of time.
It has happened before in these playoffs when McNabb was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct for a hit against Anaheim in round two of Game 5.
The Knights would also win that contest, 3-2 in overtime.
McNabb returned to the game Friday in the third period.
“I think we handled it pretty well,” third pair defenseman Dylan Coghlan said. “It feels good to get more ice time and be trusted there a little more. (McNabb) was able to come back and help us win a game.
“I think we’re willing to do whatever it takes. Our goal was to come here and get two games. I think getting back home in front of our fans at T-Mobile Arena — hopefully it’s rocking.”
Be physical
It’s playoff hockey. You need all four lines and defensive pairs to contribute, something the Knights have had in this series. They’ve shown a willingness to sacrifice their bodies for the greater good. To bring a sense of physicality when needed most. Which is crucial this time of year.
That’s how you produce a 2-0 lead against this talented an opponent. That’s how you hold Colorado to such a meager level of production.
“Credit to our group,” center Jack Eichel said. “It really feels like we’re playing for each other. So many desperation plays.”
It really feels like they’re a resilient bunch.
Hart is right. That’s the best way to describe them right now.
Ed Graney, a Sigma Delta Chi Award winner for sports column writing, can be reached at egraney@reviewjournal.com. Follow @edgraney on X.
