Now, the think in this equation is the fact the Winnipeg Jets are just as fast. They have premier players with elite speed and when they get going downhill - they're a load to stop. For Vegas it's not as simple as just moving their feet, they need other things to fall in place as well. But it all starts with playing fast.
And no one should be surprised if this series goes back and forth. Winnipeg looked great in its Game 1 win. Vegas looked just as great in taking Game 2.
"I think both teams are so good at having five guys connect. (Winnipeg) does such a great job of having those defensemen down and pinching, so we have to respond doing the same thing," said Golden Knights defenseman Colin Miller. "I think last night we did a good job, we were pretty connected. So we need to do that moving forward. Winnipeg is fast. They've done a good job of shooting pucks in and getting behind us as well which is never easy. Breaking the puck out hasn't been easy in this series. It's so tight checking and so close that I think you need to make the little plays while they're there and correct your losses if they're not, chip it off the glass and get it out of your zone."
The series is now a best of five with three of those games potentially played in Vegas. Earning a split in Winnipeg has given the Golden Knights home ice advantage and the opportunity for their crowd to get involved in the series.
"It's huge. Home ice advantage or playing on your home ice is a big, big thing in the playoffs. We love playing at home in front of our crowd," said Miller. "I think last night that was huge for our team to kind of establish ourselves and get ourselves going in the series. We're looking forward to the next game."
The other factor with home ice advantage is last change during a stoppage which gives the home coach an edge in getting the matchups he wants.
Jonathan Marchessault scored a pair of goals in Game 2 and he says his team must continue to follow the blueprint they used in the win going forward.
"It's going to take 20 men and it's going to take a full effort of 60 minutes. That's what we did yesterday and that's why we won," he said."First of all we played good defense. I think we eliminated their options quick and we didn't spend a lot of time in our defensive zone. Second of all I think our forecheck was great. We put a lot of pressure on their defense, we forced some turnovers, and were able to create some chances."
Gallant listed veteran forward David Perron as day-to-day.
