The template: Lots went into Saturday's victory. First on the list was engagement. Every player was ready to go. Stylistically, Vegas took a simple approach. They dumped the puck into the Nashville zone and they used their speed to get on the forecheck. They were a consistent five-man unit in all three zones. They moved up and down the ice as a pack providing puck support all over the ice. Turnovers were limited and from the beginning the team made smart decisions with and without the puck. The team put up 50 shots against the Predators, which was only the second time in team history when they had 50 or more shots in a game. Vegas is 2-0-0 in games where they recorded 50 or more shots in a game. The franchise record for shots in a game is 53 against Ottawa set on October 28.
Malcolm's moment: Vegas needed a stopper performance in goal and got it from Malcolm Subban who stopped 29 of 30 shots. Subban was tested early and proved sharp despite having not played since January 6.
Marc-Andre Fleury leads the NHL in starts with 51 and wins at 29. He's on pace to play 70 games which most would agree is too much. Having him fresh and peaking when the Stanley Cup playoffs begin might very well be Priority No. 1 for the Golden Knights at this stage. If Subban can play a big chunk of the final 22 games on the Vegas schedule, he'll be doing his club a great service.
More with less: Head coach Gerard Gallant flipped wingers Brandon Pirri and Max Pacioretty on Saturday night and both players responded to the change. Pacioretty scored twice including the game opener while Pirri potted a power play marker.
Pacioretty is a veteran and proven scorer. He can do more with less in terms of creativity on his line and he's developed chemistry with center Cody Eakin. Eakin has recorded assists on three of Pacioretty's 18 goals and Pacioretty has assists on three of Eakin's 15 goals this season.
Pirri has had the majority of his success with the Golden Knights skating on a line with center Paul Stastny. Stastny has assisted on three of Pirri's 10 goals this season and has been on the ice for six of the winger's tallies.
If Pacioretty can continue to produce while playing with Eakin and Pirri can score while on Stastny's line, it gives the Gallant the luxury of having three scoring lines.
Excellent Eakin: Veteran center Cody Eakin is playing some of his best hockey right now. Eakin has two goals and three assists in his last six games and points in four consecutive games.
The 27-year-old has 15 goals and 16 assists and is closing in on career highs of 19 and 21 in those categories.
Eakin has been pigeon holed as a third liner because of his defensive ability and willingness to play a 200-foot game.
But Eakin's speed makes him a dangerous player on the forecheck. And he can create offense with back pressure in the neutral zone. He continues to improve as a player and has proven to be a valuable piece for Gallant.
