The Vegas Golden Knights don't have much time to reflect on their 6-4 Game 1 Stanley Cup Final as they turn around and prepare for Game 2 against the Washington Capitals at 5 p.m. Wednesday at T-Mobile Arena.
Both teams described their play as sloppy Monday night, and both goaltenders let in some uncharacteristic goals.
Game 2 might look a little different.
"I hope so," said Vegas goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. "It was exciting to watch, I think, but not the goalies' favorite. It's a long series, both teams have guys that can score and create.
"It's quick-paced, both teams are fast. We'll see."
Golden Knights forward James Neal said he doesn't expect a "more boring" game, and it could in fact could be a similar style game. Still, Neal does expect both teams to make adjustments and tighten up play.
"It was the feeling out process, both teams are saying they need to play better," Neal said. "Everyone was super excited to get going and you lose your legs a little bit. We're lucky we got out with a win and we're happy with that, but we have to be a lot better."
REAVES AND THE FOURTH LINERS
A pleasant offensive surprise for the Golden Knights has been forward Ryan Reaves, a midseason trade acquisition.
Known largely as an enforcer for most of his career, Reaves has scored in two-straight games, his first two goals as a Vegas Golden Knight.
Reaves acknowledges his game has become more refined in the previous season or two. That refinement has been magnified right now as Reaves said in the playoffs, the details matter even more.
"All these big guys are leaving the league now and the league is getting faster, getting younger so you have to adapt," Reaves said. "Any profession you have to adapt to changes."
Vegas head coach Gerard Gallant said he watched Reaves during the playoffs last season and knew when the Golden Knights acquired him that they'd have a guy who goes hard and makes opposing players make plays quicker than they want.
"He's a better skater than I thought for a big guy," Gallant said. "He plays the game real well. Smart player who takes advantage of the ice time he gets.
"That line was great for us and real good in Winnipeg too."
Reaves, along with Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and Tomas Nosek, has given the Golden Knights a boost on the fourth line. Nosek scored Twice in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, including the game-winner and an empty-netter following an outstanding defensive zone play as the clock waned down.
Last year, while leading the American Hockey League's Grand Rapids Griffins to the Calder Cup, Nosek also scored the Game 1 game-winner in the Calder Cup Final.
Nosek now has three goals in the playoffs and Reaves has scored twice.
Reaves credits hustle to be a difference maker in the playoffs for the Golden Knights.
"Nothing rattles us," Reaves said. "If we get a goal scored on us or a couple bad shifts, the next line is ready to pick the team up and I think we've done a good job of that throughout the playoffs. You have to outwork teams this time of year, you can't out skill them."
MARSCHESSAULT 100%
A large topic of discussion coming out of the Golden Knights victory was a hit on Vegas forward Jonathan Marchessault by Washington forward Tom Wilson in the third period.
Wilson was penalized two minutes for interference after discussion amongst the referees, and it was offset by a penalty on Vegas forward David Perron. There was talk that Wilson, who was suspended three games earlier in the playoffs, could see discipline from the league but he will not face further punishment.
Marchessault left the game for a period of time but returned to finish the night.
"Jon is 100 percent, no issues last night," Gallant said. "It was a close hit, late for me for sure. I thought it'd be a five-minute major. We live with the hit. It worked our team up, we weren't playing great at the time."
The game only saw four penalties, with each team receiving one power play.
The Golden Knights capitalized on their power play when defenseman Colin Miller scored the game's first goal.
"It was fun, nice to see that one go in," Miller said. "Our power play unit has been a little snake bitten so it was nice to have that go in."
The game was physical, but Gallant said he was happy with the officiating.
"It was fast hockey, some banging and bumping," Gallant said. "Overall, I thought they did an outstanding job."
Both teams described their play as sloppy Monday night, and both goaltenders let in some uncharacteristic goals.
Game 2 might look a little different.
"I hope so," said Vegas goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. "It was exciting to watch, I think, but not the goalies' favorite. It's a long series, both teams have guys that can score and create.
"It's quick-paced, both teams are fast. We'll see."
Golden Knights forward James Neal said he doesn't expect a "more boring" game, and it could in fact could be a similar style game. Still, Neal does expect both teams to make adjustments and tighten up play.
"It was the feeling out process, both teams are saying they need to play better," Neal said. "Everyone was super excited to get going and you lose your legs a little bit. We're lucky we got out with a win and we're happy with that, but we have to be a lot better."
REAVES AND THE FOURTH LINERS
A pleasant offensive surprise for the Golden Knights has been forward Ryan Reaves, a midseason trade acquisition.
Known largely as an enforcer for most of his career, Reaves has scored in two-straight games, his first two goals as a Vegas Golden Knight.
Reaves acknowledges his game has become more refined in the previous season or two. That refinement has been magnified right now as Reaves said in the playoffs, the details matter even more.
"All these big guys are leaving the league now and the league is getting faster, getting younger so you have to adapt," Reaves said. "Any profession you have to adapt to changes."
Vegas head coach Gerard Gallant said he watched Reaves during the playoffs last season and knew when the Golden Knights acquired him that they'd have a guy who goes hard and makes opposing players make plays quicker than they want.
"He's a better skater than I thought for a big guy," Gallant said. "He plays the game real well. Smart player who takes advantage of the ice time he gets.
"That line was great for us and real good in Winnipeg too."
Reaves, along with Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and Tomas Nosek, has given the Golden Knights a boost on the fourth line. Nosek scored Twice in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, including the game-winner and an empty-netter following an outstanding defensive zone play as the clock waned down.
Last year, while leading the American Hockey League's Grand Rapids Griffins to the Calder Cup, Nosek also scored the Game 1 game-winner in the Calder Cup Final.
Nosek now has three goals in the playoffs and Reaves has scored twice.
Reaves credits hustle to be a difference maker in the playoffs for the Golden Knights.
"Nothing rattles us," Reaves said. "If we get a goal scored on us or a couple bad shifts, the next line is ready to pick the team up and I think we've done a good job of that throughout the playoffs. You have to outwork teams this time of year, you can't out skill them."
MARSCHESSAULT 100%
A large topic of discussion coming out of the Golden Knights victory was a hit on Vegas forward Jonathan Marchessault by Washington forward Tom Wilson in the third period.
Wilson was penalized two minutes for interference after discussion amongst the referees, and it was offset by a penalty on Vegas forward David Perron. There was talk that Wilson, who was suspended three games earlier in the playoffs, could see discipline from the league but he will not face further punishment.
Marchessault left the game for a period of time but returned to finish the night.
"Jon is 100 percent, no issues last night," Gallant said. "It was a close hit, late for me for sure. I thought it'd be a five-minute major. We live with the hit. It worked our team up, we weren't playing great at the time."
The game only saw four penalties, with each team receiving one power play.
The Golden Knights capitalized on their power play when defenseman Colin Miller scored the game's first goal.
"It was fun, nice to see that one go in," Miller said. "Our power play unit has been a little snake bitten so it was nice to have that go in."
The game was physical, but Gallant said he was happy with the officiating.
"It was fast hockey, some banging and bumping," Gallant said. "Overall, I thought they did an outstanding job."
