Lawless: Winning Time

Bruce Cassidy calls this stretch of the season 'winning time,' and the way his team is playing these days he can count on it being just that.

The Vegas Golden Knights have won three straight games coming out of the break by a margin of 17-4. They've done it with balanced scoring and an attention to detail which has made the games low pressure for the goalies. Shots and chances against have been limited and Vegas has been patient at the offensive end.
Everything the team is doing right now is based on giving the opposition little in terms of opportunity.
Cassidy likes what he sees and believes it's a sustainable formula.
"I would like this to be our identity and we talked about this coming out of training camp. We wanted to have a high fitness level so we could finish games in the third period, managing the puck is a big part of being a good defensive team, playing with some structure and that's on us to teach that and the guys have a done a good job with that, stick details and all those little things that make you hard to play against. So, yes, the answer to your question is this is what we'd like to be," said Cassidy, now 32-18-4 as head coach of the Golden Knights. "The biggest thing I've seen in the last three games: one goal against, one goal against, two goals against. It hasn't been because our goalie is standing on his head. They've made some timely saves and every goalie will need to but it's just not on our goalie. That's what I'd like our team to look like going forward and as long as I'm here. You're in every game this way. And if the goal scoring doesn't happen for you, you can win 3-2 or 2-1. Absolutely this is what I'd like our identity to be. The scoring will come for us. We have the goals in our room. If we can take care of the other side of the puck, we're a real dangerous team."
Vegas has been diligent with its puck management and is consistently winning the giveaway/takeaway battle. They've worn their opponents out and then won games going away with punishing second halves. Vegas continues to be one of the best first period teams in the NHL but over the last three games they've scored 11 goals in the second and third periods combined.
The VGK game has been steadier and more complete since the NHL All-Star break but the improved play predates this past week. The record of 4-2-2 in the last eight games has pushed them back into first place in the Pacific Division and the underlying numbers have been elite.
Vegas holds a +17 advantage in high danger chances differential (5th in NHL), a +11 goal differential at 5v5 (1st in NHL), a .929 team save percentage (10th in NHL) and a sterling 4.4 giveaways per 60 mark (2nd in NHL).
The formula is sustainable. Cassidy has the team playing a winning style and if the buy in continues so too will the winning.
Balanced punch: Sunday's 7-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks was an example of the depth GM Kelly McCrimmon has assembled.
Fourteen skaters picked up at least a point and seven players picked up a goal. The top three lines accounted for two goals each while the fourth line chipped in with a marker as well.
Vegas now has 10 skaters with 10 goals or more, which is tied for first in the NHL with the Seattle Kraken.
New lines: Cassidy assembled the current line combinations five games ago and the trios have produced:
Jack Eichel line: 4 goals
William Karlsson line: 4 goals
Chandler Stephenson line: 7 goals
Nic Roy line: 2 goals
LB can't wait: Veteran goalie Laurent Brossoit was recalled on Saturday to replace injured all-star Logan Thompson on the roster.
Brossoit underwent hip surgery during the off-season and his return to the NHL has taken more time than expected including a lengthy stint in the AHL.
"It's gone well. I didn't think it would take as long but it's been a blessing in disguise to be able to work on some things in the AHL. Each week it's felt stronger and stronger," said the 29-year-old.
Brossoit has seen action in 104 career NHL games and owns 2.84 goals-against average and .905 save percentage over that time. The B.C. product said Saturday morning his entire career has been limited by a lack of mobility due to issues with his hip.
"There's a lot of mobility and range that I haven't had access to, to be honest, since junior. So it's recalibrating some stuff and feeling more and more coordinated week by week," he said. "I'm really happy with the added potential the surgery has afforded me and now I just have to see that through."