The Vegas Golden Knights are aiming for a stronger defensive game to propel them back into the win column. After a recent slump, where they went 1-4-2 in their last seven games, the team recognizes the need to tighten up their play in their own zone.
Several factors contribute to this renewed focus on defense. The Golden Knights have surrendered 15 goals in their past three games, a concerning trend for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations. Unfortunate bounces and bad puck luck have played a role, but the team understands they need to minimize such occurrences to avoid playing from behind and relinquishing leads.
The team has lost a key player on their defensive unit, Alex Pietrangelo, who is expected to miss the entire 2025-2026 season due to requiring multiple surgeries. Pietrangelo's absence creates a significant void, as he anchored the defense and averaged over 22 minutes of ice time per game.
To compensate for Pietrangelo's absence, the Golden Knights will rely on newcomers Jérémy Lauzon and Kaeden Korczak. Korczak is expected to step into a full-time role after limited action last season. While Lauzon and Korczak are projected to anchor the bottom pairing, the pressure to elevate their game extends across the entire blue line.
The Golden Knights have a nice mix of mobility in their defense with Shea Theodore and Noah Hanifin, and physicality with Brayden McNabb and Zach Whitecloud. Stone, Eichel and Karlsson also provide high-end defensive work from the forward group.
Coach Bruce Cassidy has been working to evolve the Golden Knights' offense by involving the defensemen more. The aim is to make their impact felt not just in the defensive end, but also up the ice. Cassidy wants the defensemen to be involved in the offensive zone play by getting pucks through and activating down the wall.
The Golden Knights are statistically strong in several defensive categories. Akira Schmid has a 2.40 goals against average, ranking him among the top goalies in the league. Brayden McNabb leads the league in blocked shots per 60 minutes. The team also holds the NHL's fifth-best defensive-zone face-off win percentage at 53.9%.
With a potent offense, the Vegas Golden Knights were fifth in goals and second in power-play efficiency last season. Mitch Marner's addition brings a strong 200-foot presence. Marner is also a seasoned penalty killer.
The Golden Knights are aiming to strike a balance between unleashing the defense and remaining defensively sound. The key will be to maintain their defensive strength while incorporating defensemen into the attack.
