LAS VEGAS – Certain defensive structures require more game planning and awareness.
The Vegas Golden Knights must know what challenge awaits them when they face the Utah Hockey Club tonight at 7 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena.
Utah plays a 1-1-3 defensive structure, meaning three players are on the blue line, ready to stop any rushes and defend their offensive zone.
“I’d like us to be clean through the neutral zone,” Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. “Let’s get through there with some speed and make a good decision with the puck.”
Utah looking to create chaos
Utah coach Andre Tourigny said his team has to create “chaos” if it wants to compete against Vegas.
“If we can cut their time and space with their D and create some chaos in their zone, that will play in our favor,” he said. For us, it’ll be a lot about puck pressure and physicality and going through them. It’s making sure we’re not al] allowing them to shield us and protect the puck.
“The pace and pressure we put on them will dictate how the game goes.”
Utah will dress 11 forwards and seven defensemen against the Golden Knights. Connor Ingram will start in net for them.
Aside from attempting to stop the Golden Knights defensemen from making plays, Tourigny noted the challenge of stopping Vegas’s top line of forward Ivan Barbashev, Jack Eichel, and Mark Stone will also be important.
“They’re big and can make plays. They can hold onto pucks,” Tourigny said. “The coverage, your IQ and read against those guys has to be through the roof. You have to be extremely urgent.”
Golden Knights goalie Samsonov out with soreness
Golden Knights goalie Ilya Samsonov is out of tonight’s game due to soreness.
Vegas recalled Akira Schmid from the Henderson Silver Knights to act as Adin Hill’s backup for the game.
As for how long Samsonov is going to be out, Cassidy didn’t confirm a timetable.
“I don’t have a timeline right now. He came into today and was sore,” Cassidy said. “We don’t play again until Wednesday, so we’ll have a few days to sort through it.”
Paul Delos Santos is the Las Vegas sports insider for Dice City Sports. Follow him on X at @PaulDelos_.
