Just like that, the preseason is over. Everyone is happy, including the Vegas Golden Knights.
The first run-through of a four-game preseason and less than two weeks of training camp is in the books. The Knights open the season Tuesday against Chicago when the games actually matter.
The shortened camp was a byproduct of the new collective bargaining agreement that went into effect on Sept. 16. Veterans who have played 100 games could only suit up for two preseason games.
Consensus around the Knights room is that two games was more than plenty.
“It feels like we just get here and we’re playing hockey again,” center Tomas Hertl said. “I don’t mind it.”
The Knights had to hit the ground running from the start of camp. That was the biggest area of emphasis from coach Ryan Craig and general manager Kelly McCrimmon. Three fewer preseason games meant time had to be best utilized when they practiced.
Annual fitness testing was also eliminated in the CBA. Players had to ensure they were coming to camp at their best on their own accord.
Craig said the Knights accomplished what they needed to, with plenty of positives to go around.
“I thought we had a plan, we stuck with our plan,” Craig said. “We’re now into a bit of a rhythm, I would hope, by the time we come back on Monday that it feels like we’re right into the season.”
The game-to-game improvement was a welcomed sight for Craig. There were things the Knights did well Thursday against Utah, but plenty to still improve on.
Things looked better Saturday, especially defensively. The Knights held the San Jose Sharks to five shots through 40 minutes.
The play didn’t reflect the score. The Knights lost 4-2 Saturday with goaltender Carter Hart tagged for four goals on 17 shots.
San Jose netminder Yaroslav Askarov did his part with 28 saves. The Knights had 2.8 expected goals in all situations, according to Natural Stat Trick.
The Sharks had 1.58 expected goals.
“Really happy with our first 40,” Craig said. “The things we wanted to clean up and improve on, especially through 40 minutes, I thought we did.”
The Knights couldn’t have asked for a better defensive dress rehearsal. The Sharks also iced what’s expected to be their opening night lineup.
Hertl said there was plenty of good, but cautioned not to fall back into the habit of last season of falling behind by multiple goals. San Jose led 2-0 before Hertl’s power play goal in the second period.
Center Nic Dowd tied with a one-timer in the third period.
“I thought we did a lot of good things tonight,” Dowd said. “Mistakes are going to happen, but the good thing about that is those are learning opportunities. Even for a veteran group, coming off a very short, emotional offseason. I think that’s going to play to our strengths is that we have a veteran core and guys that pull guys in the right direction.”
Dowd, 36, felt two games were more than enough. Hertl, 32, also felt the same way. If two of the elder statesmen believe it, it must be true.
“I’m just excited again to play for real,” Hertl said. “It’s always a little tough to get emotions in the preseason, but you need to get your touches. It’s part of it. We have a big game on Tuesday.”
Contact Danny Webster at dwebster@reviewjournal.com. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.
