DENVER – John Tortorella said it again late Wednesday night. That he believes it’s almost easier playing on the road in an NHL playoff game than at home.
That a veteran team like the Vegas Golden Knights have been there, done that, seen it all. That it understands the moment. That nothing fazes them.
He spoke those words following his team’s 4-2 victory over Colorado in Game 1 of the best-of-seven Western Conference Final.
Game 2 is on Friday night at Ball Arena.
Tortorella reiterated on Thursday that there is much to improve on, that the Knights can be better in several phases, that they must raise their level of game.
This much is also true: It’s easier to win on the road when you have Brett Howden playing as he is.
The forward scored again Wednesday and now has goals in six straight road games. The Knights are 5-2 away from T-Mobile Arena this postseason. Yeah. Those loud opposing crowds aren’t doing much damage to their psyche.
And don’t count Howden as being superstitious during the run he’s on.
“I feel like I just have the same routine, but if something doesn’t go the exact same way at the exact same time it’s not going to throw me off,” said Howden, who has nine playoff goals. “I’m more routine than superstitious.
“I think it just comes down to the kind of game we require now. Nobody is really thinking about (streaks) or anything. We’re focusing on the task at hand and the opponent we’re against. That’s our collective mindset right now.”
A great line
Things couldn’t have worked better since Tortorella put Howden together with Mitch Marner and William Karlsson on a second line that continues to produce.
What makes it more impressive: Karlsson missed six months with a lower-body injury but made an immediate impact when re-entering the lineup in a second-round series against the Anaheim Ducks.
He had yet to skate with Marner this season before being hurt and had done so just twice with Howden.
And yet since coming together, the line has taken off.
It just seems Howden is always in the right spot at both ends of the ice. He was again on Wednesday when Ben Hutton jumped out of the box to create a 2-on-1 advantage and slapped his shot high. Howden was right there to jam in the rebound.
“I just put him in spots on the ice that I think he needs to be in, which is a lot of different spots,” Tortorella said. “He is a very versatile player for us and is doing a lot of the little things right.”
Tortorella has referred to Howden as a Swiss army knife and the player is quick to point out his game needed more consistency. He has played center most of his life but moved to wing occasionally when arriving.
Back and forth he went. And he enjoyed it.
But this is hardly a one-line team, a one-player outfit. Colorado has great depth but the Knights when playing their game can also involve several names in the pursuit of victory.
Example: Eleven players made the scoresheet Wednesday.
“I think that’s something special about our group,” Howden said. “(Wednesday) was a huge game from everybody. We lean on each other. We were confident about that going into (Game 1). That’s something we can build off of and keep it going into Game 2.”
Won’t be easy
Sometimes, Howden said of his scorching play of late, it’s just the way the puck bounces. That he tries not to let it dictate how he’s competing. Take the goal from Game 1. The shot from Hutton careened away and went right to Howden. Another score on the road.
The Knights have already gained home ice advantage with their Game 1 win. They can really put a dent into Colorado’s hopes with another victory Friday.
Won’t be easy. Vegas can expect the Avalanche’s best effort and that hasn’t gone well at all for opponents this season.
But there is something about the road and Tortorella’s team. Brings out the best in it. Brings out the best in Brett Howden.
And that has been more than good enough.
Ed Graney, a Sigma Delta Chi Award winner for sports column writing, can be reached at egraney@reviewjournal.com. Follow @edgraney on X.
English (US)·