The Golden Knights have spent the last few days sounding like a team that already knows its shape.
John Tortorella keeps coming back to “we” and to the idea of guiding when needed, then getting out of the way. Mark Stone keeps pointing to the same fix: play more aggressive, play quicker in the defensive zone, hold the puck longer.
Now the playoffs start and the slate is clean. Vegas is still the Pacific champ, still at home, still the favorite on the board, but none of that matters after the opening faceoff Sunday night at T-Mobile Arena.
In the hours before the Knights drop the puck, the rest of the bracket does not sit still. Three Game 1s already hit the books on Saturday, and three more openers roll across the screen Sunday afternoon before Utah and Vegas take over the night.
Yesterday’s games
Hurricanes shut the door
Carolina opened with a 2-0 win over Ottawa and a 1-0 series lead built on control.
Logan Stankoven scored at 2:11 of the second, Taylor Hall added one at 7:15 of the third, and Frederik Andersen turned aside all 22 shots. Ottawa finished with nothing on the scoreboard and not much inside the hard areas.
Wild flip the series fast
Minnesota jumped Dallas 6-1 in Game 1 and made the Stars pay for penalties and loose coverage.
Joel Eriksson Ek scored twice on the power play, Matt Boldy scored twice, and Kirill Kaprizov had a goal and two assists. Dallas got a power-play goal from Jason Robertson, but spent most of the afternoon chasing the game.
Flyers steal it late
Philadelphia took Game 1 in Pittsburgh, 3-2, and grabbed home ice with a tight, patient road win.
Jamie Drysdale opened the scoring in the second, then Travis Sanheim put the Flyers ahead again at 10:00 of the third. Porter Martone snapped the winner with 2:37 left before Bryan Rust’s late power-play goal turned the final minute into a scramble.
Tonight’s games
Kings at Avalanche
Colorado opens at home with Nathan MacKinnon driving the best version of the Avalanche.
Los Angeles needs to keep this simple: defend the middle, live on the walls, and avoid trading chances. If the Kings turn it into a track meet, Game 1 can get away from them fast.
Canadiens at Lightning
Montreal brings enough speed and offense to make Tampa work, especially if Nick Suzuki can keep the Canadiens attacking with pace.
However, the Lightning are built for playoff leverage at home. If Tampa earns power plays and converts early, Montreal’s margin shrinks quickly.
Bruins at Sabres
Buffalo opens at home with more team speed and more scoring depth, and that usually shows in Game 1.
Boston’s path is structure and patience. If the Bruins keep it tight at five-on-five and avoid early chaos, they give themselves a chance to steal one in a building that should be buzzing.
Mammoth at Golden Knights
Utah’s path starts with pace through the middle, led by Clayton Keller and a forward group that can score when the game gets loose.
Vegas’ counter has to look like what Stone has been describing: faster decisions in its own end, cleaner exits, and fewer freebies that turn into rush chances. If the Knights control the puck and keep their structure, they can make Game 1 feel heavy early.
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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.
