DENVER — Game 1 hasn’t been an issue for the Vegas Golden Knights in the playoffs. It’s the follow-up game — the response — from the other team that’s challenged them.
They’re not expecting anything different heading into Game 2 of the Western Conference Final against the Colorado Avalanche at 5 p.m. on Friday at Ball Arena.
It would be criminal for the Knights to not expect a response from the Presidents’ Trophy winners. The Knights opened the series with a 4-2 win on Wednesday to steal home-ice advantage.
“Whenever you see the game live and then you watch it on tape, there’s always different things you see that you didn’t see,” coach John Tortorella said. “I’m not going to break it down here, but I will tell you this: There are a number of things that we need to do better at.”
Part of that is limiting Colorado’s transition game and not giving them so much open ice. The Avalanche had 80 shot attempts and put 38 of them on goal.
The Knights answered with 23 blocked shots, including a game-high seven from defenseman Shea Theodore on a night he played more than 27 minutes.
“I think each game, we’re looking at improving our game and getting better,” winger Brett Howden said. “I think coming out with a good start tomorrow is probably going to be what’s on our mind, and continuing to feel good about our game and keep building off that.”
Maybe Makar?
The roster makeup could look vastly different in Game 2.
Notably on the Colorado side, star defenseman Cale Makar was a full-contact participant in practice Thursday and could be an option after missing Game 1.
Makar (upper body) participated in 1-on-1 drills and didn’t show any signs that he’s still too hindered to play.
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar didn’t have an update on the two-time Norris Trophy winner Thursday.
The Knights could also be closer to having captain Mark Stone back in the lineup. Stone has been out since Game 4 against Anaheim with a lower-body injury.
Stone, who skated Wednesday morning for the first time since suffering the injury, did not take part in the team’s optional practice Thursday, putting his status in question.
The good news for the Knights? They’ve gone 3-1 without Stone.
“I’d say (we’ve managed) pretty well, considering we’re here, right?” winger Keegan Kolesar said. “It’s always next-man-up mentality. I think guys took it upon themselves last series like Mitch (Marner) and (Pavel Dorofeyev), they pulled their socks up and contributed in the offensive department in his absence.”
Stars are stepping up
Marner and Dorofeyev connected for a power-play goal in Game 1, giving Marner a league-high 19 playoff points and Dorofeyev 10 goals — six of them during a four-game goal streak.
The same can be said for Howden after scoring his seventh road goal of the playoffs, the second most in Knights playoff history, after scoring his third game-winning goal of the playoffs.
Howden has found the back of the net in eight of the last 10 games.
“I think it just comes down to the kind of games we’re playing right now,” Howden said. “Nobody’s really thinking too much about anything like that. Everybody’s just focused on the task at hand and the opponent we’re against, and bringing our best team game every game.”
This is unique territory for the Knights. Them being 10-10 all-time in Game 2 isn’t that, but the fact they’re 3-1 on the road shows history is in their favor.
The last time they went up 2-0 while starting on the road was the 2024 first round against the Dallas Stars. The Knights lost in seven games.
Plenty of hockey to play. Plenty of time for a response. The Knights will go a long way if they can get 11 players contributing on the score sheet like they did in Game 1.
“Going into every game, we all lean on each other. We don’t expect one guy to do everything,” Howden said. “We feel confident in that way that we can all lean on each other in all different situations in the game. That’s something we can build off of and keep going into Game 2.”
Contact Danny Webster at dwebster@reviewjournal.com. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.
Up next
Who: Golden Knights at Avalanche
What: Western Conference Final, Game 2 (Knights lead 1-0)
When: 5 p.m. Friday
Where: Ball Arena, Denver
TV: ESPN
Radio: KFLG 94.7 FM/KKGK 1340 AM
Line: Avalanche -180; total 6
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Series schedule:
Game 1: Knights 4, Avalanche 2
Game 2: Friday, 5 p.m. at Ball Arena (ESPN)
Game 3: Sunday, 5 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena (ESPN)
Game 4: Tuesday, 6 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena (ESPN)
*Game 5: May 28, 5 p.m. at Ball Arena (ESPN)
*Game 6: May 30, 5 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena (ABC)
*Game 7: June 1, 5 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena (ESPN)
*if necessary
English (US)·