QUICK HITS
BLUES The Blues began the homestand on a high note!
Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Jets was the embodiment of the patience and mentality that Head Coach Jim Montgomery wants the Blues to have throughout the season. After the overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks on Oct. 8, he spoke about how the team need to become more comfortable winning close games.
"I thought that after we got the 2-1 lead [over Winnipeg], I loved the way we checked up the ice after that," Montgomery said. "We're forechecking still...we weren't just letting them come at us and that's part of the evolution we have to build as a team, is to be confident playing that way so that we can extend leads."
Philip Broberg recorded an assist on Jimmy Snuggerud's goal in the first period before striking on the power play for the game-winning goal with 11:13 remaining in regulation. Joel Hofer made 32 saves on 33 shots while the Blues' special teams went 3-for-3 on the penalty kill and 1-for-5 on the power play.
"I think [the win] is a confidence booster for sure for the team," Broberg said. "We played a hard, good game and we want to keep building on that. It's a big homestand for us here."
GOLDEN KNIGHTS The Vegas Golden Knights took the NHL by storm late last season. After replacing Head Coach Bruce Cassidy with John Tortorella just weeks before the conclusion of the regular season, Vegas finished 7-1-0 down the stretch to win the Pacific Division. After series wins over the Utah Mammoth and Anaheim Ducks, the Golden Knights unexpectedly swept the Presidents' Trophy winning Colorado Avalanche to reach the Stanley Cup Final. They were defeated in six games by the Carolina Hurricanes, though, losing in six games.
Vegas' offseason was highlighted by the promotion of AHL Henderson Silver Knights Coach Ryan Craig to the NHL club, replacing Tortorella as head coach. Defenseman Rasmus Andersson (seven-year contract) and Jeremy Lauzon (six-year contract) also signed new deals, keeping them with the Golden Knights' defensive core.
Additionally, forwards Victor Oloffson and Marc Gatcomb and defensemen Parker Wotherspoon, Ville Heinola, Antti Tuomisto and Adam Ginning signed with Vegas as free agents.
On the injury front, Oloffson (undisclosed) is on long-term injured reserve and was classified as week-to-week on Oct. 8. Wotherspoon (upper-body) is sidelined indefinitely and defenseman Alex Pietrangelo is out for the season with a hip injury.
The Golden Knights have a roster capable of making a competitive playoff run once again with star talent like Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner, as well as depth players who can provide offense throughout their lineup. Vegas has begun the season with an 8-3-0 record, coming off a 6-2 loss at home to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
