Saturday turned out to be valuable in more ways than one for the Vegas Golden Knights.
Coach Ryan Craig has preached structure since the start of training camp, and it was on display in the 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.
Breakouts and neutral-zone work were areas of emphasis the first two days. That was on display as the game went on.
“I think there was good flow early in the game. Obviously, it was a little bit looser,” Craig said. “But as the game started tightening up and they tied it up, I thought we did a really good job of breaking pucks out, tracking and improved our reloads.”
There are still things to improve on. Weak-side coverage was an issue on both goals allowed. There were some breakdowns in transition that led to chances for the Kings.
Other than that, consider it a successful quick business trip. Here are other notes from Saturday’s game:
Top of the Hill
The last time Adin Hill started a game was April 9. The night was best remembered for a puck hitting an open Zamboni door at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, bouncing to the low slot and finding its way into an empty net.
The Knights lost that game. Carter Hart started every one from then on out, and the rest is history.
Hill’s venture to reclaim the starter’s crease began Saturday, finishing with 17 saves.
“I feel good,” Hill said. “I’m excited to get things back going again. It’s a shorter camp, so you’ve got to start off strong.”
Craig said the plan with the shortened preseason is to give Hart and Hill two starts each. Hart will likely get the start Tuesday in San Jose.
Hill had to ease his way back in after his first start in almost six months. He didn’t see much action the first 10 minutes of the game.
The expectation is Hart will be the opening night starter Sept. 29 against Chicago after manning the crease during the Knights’ run to the Stanley Cup Final.
Hill is the the one making $6.25 million a season through 2031. His time will come. How soon is the question.
“Carter’s a great guy, and we have a great relationship,” Hill said. “I’m just looking forward to getting things going and whenever either of us are in net to make sure we do our job to help our team win that night.”
Young defenseman stands out
Viliam Kmec is shaping up to be another undrafted gem the Knights have unearthed.
The 22-year-old defenseman has gotten better each year since arriving in development camp in 2024. Kmec, from Kosice, Slovakia, is a right-handed blue liner who plays a steady game.
He showed offensive promise Saturday with his goal that opened the scoring in the first period. He added an assist on forward Jackson Hallum’s go-ahead goal in the third period.
“I thought he was really good,” Craig said. “Getting the goal early probably helps him. But defending, he was up in the play. He was back above. I thought he made some real good reads down the line in the offensive zone to keep pucks alive.”
Kmec totaled 16 points in 65 games with Henderson last season. He’s entering the final year of his entry-level contract this year. He’s someone to keep an eye on as a potential call-up.
Three on uh-oh
The preseason should be the only time a three-on-zero situation should occur.
The Knights found themselves in that situation late in the first period. An ill-timed line change from the Kings led to a three-man rush with Rapahel Lavoie scoring late in the first period.
It came 52 seconds after Kmec’s goal.
“I honestly thought it was the other team at first,” said center Tanner Laczynski, who found Lavoie for the one-timer. “And then I heard (Lavoie) screaming over my shoulder. I turned and looked and I was like, ‘all right.’”
Craig was jokingly asked if the team had been working on its three-on-zero chances.
“Against the coaches on the first day, yes,” he laughed.
What’s next?
The Knights will return to practice Monday after having Sunday off.
The first round of camp cuts are expected. The Knights will go from three groups to two when they return to City National Arena at 10 a.m.
These cuts will likely be those on amateur tryouts and those on junior teams.
The AHL roster will likely get one more look Tuesday at the San Jose Sharks before the NHL veterans make their preseason debuts Thursday against the Utah Mammoth.
Contact Danny Webster at dwebster@reviewjournal.com. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.
Up next
Who: Golden Knights at Sharks
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday
Where: SAP Center, San Jose
TV: KMCC-TV (Channel 34)
Streaming: KnightTime+
Radio: KVGS-FM (107.9)
