Vegas Golden Knights stumble as missed shots and Adin Hill’s costly misplay lead to a 2-0 shutout by the Buffalo Sabres. With Ukko-Pekka Lukkonen’s dominant performance in net and the Golden Knights missing the target 22 times, questions swirl about VGK’s ability to finish against top competition. Are Bruce Cassidy’s “too cute” postgame concerns a sign of a deeper scoring issue as the playoffs approach?
Tony Dasco and Chris Gawlik break down Brayden McNabb’s recent surge, special teams’ top-10 status, and the team’s ongoing struggle to beat playoff-caliber opponents. The hosts debate whether recent wins over depleted teams provide false hope, analyze Mark Stone and Mitch Marner’s effectiveness, and look ahead to a pivotal stretch loaded with divisional rivals. Can Vegas regain momentum and secure their spot atop the Pacific Division, or will finishing woes threaten their postseason ambitions?
FanDuel
Today’s episode is brought to you by FanDuel. FanDuel is giving you a way to turn that energy into even bigger potential wins with a College Basketball Parlay Profit Boost. Head to FANDUEL DOT COM to get started.
Gametime
Today’s episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase.
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOGoldenKnights?sid=YouTube
Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More
🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL
#VGK #GoldenKnightsHockey #nhlhockeyislife
Everydayer Club
Join the Everydayer Club for ad-free audio, access to our group chat on Discord, and more. Use code DEADLINE ahead of the trade deadline for one month free. Tap here to learn more: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Quo
Make this the year where no opportunity — and no customer — slips away.
Try Quo for free plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to http://Quo.com/lockedonnhl.
Indeed
Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to https://indeed.com/podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.
Robinhood
You’re no longer just a spectator. Play by play. You decide. Trade Every Play with Robinhood. Now available across the U.S. Download the Robinhood app now to begin. Futures and cleared swaps trading involves significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. Event contracts are offered by Robinhood Derivatives, LLC., a registered futures commission merchant and swap firm.
Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.
FanDuel
FanDuel is giving you a way to turn that energy into even bigger potential wins with a College Basketball Parlay Profit Boost. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game.
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
13 Comments
Blaming Hill for the loss is a bit like team USA blaming the WBC loss on pitching. How bout some offense?
On offense, think about how many times those long to medium range one timers are on a goalie who slides over and sees the shot coming and makes an easy save , NO ONE IS IN FRONT!
One thing I noticed right off the bat from the VGK last night. They had a hard time putting pucks on net especially in the first period. The Sabres goalie made the difference last night. Marner missed the net a few times and also passed when he should had shot the puck. No body got gritty in front of the net to try to take the goalies eyes off of the puck. Now we are in 3rd place in the Pacific Division.
Hill's sloppy play (not his first) was amplified by the defense being slow to the puck. Sabres played faster last night. Eichel wasn't our fastest skater and he didn't lead in possession time which leads me to believe he was under the weather. Power play was awful. They went to the Eichel, Stone, Marner line after the 4 x 4 play as the lines were already scrambled from the 4 x 4 play (e.g., Barbie went out with Hertl and Dory after Marner and Eichel came off the ice during 4x 4 play). Besides Marner's crossbar, Bowman had a chance right to the side of the net. He tried to shoot it right away and couldn't get any lift on it. Compare that to what Byfield did against us when he pulled the puck back and gave himself the room to roof the puck. As Chris has stated many times, Bowman needs to learn how to finish.
Hill was NOT the problem last night, Jesus y’all need glasses. Anderson is responsible for that goal, he didn’t even try to defend the puck. Whatta joke. Eichel and Marner need to be playing on the same line enough is enough.
VGK is not a creative team they are basic north and south no creativity! I wonder if Eichel wishes he was on the Sabers now 😂😂😂
1st or 2nd round exit team again
Hill never has been the best at handling the puck behind the net…
Did we really get through that whole schedule segment without Tony's infamous "rigged". Had to have the under on that one 😢
I think the PP effectiveness mirrors the overall team performance, mostly good against mediocre and bad teams, poor against good teams. Looking through the game logs for Dorofeyev and Hertl who have most of the PP goals, a lot of them are against non-playoff teams and wild card level teams.
The fish rots from the head first
When McNabb retires i could see him as our Coach or Executive.
This is the season when team is flirting with mushy middle status..the roster includes well paid Over 30 players while the younger group is less apparent.
Are Knights considering refining team with more physicality and strength. The teams that have managed to retool rather than tear down..find a variety of players in off season to reshape things. Both Washington and Pittsburgh good examples. But what continues to stand out about VGK is the offensive strengths are watered down ..lacking players who push the pace and push the opponent around. It’s easier to play a team that has one script each game. The Sabres last night anticipated the offensive intimacy of Knights and held off quality scoring attempts. This becomes a strength of VGK next season if it is not a one size fits all roster.
Brayden McNabb showcased the possibilities playing an edgier version of his well established skill sets. Team could benefit in future from a less understated style.
Actually, Tony, Anaheim has an easier remaining schedule than VGK.