Inaugural Trip to the Stanley Cup Playoffs
So, how did it feel Vegas hockey fans?
Was it great? Did it get your blood pumping for more? Are you ready for more?
I’ll bet your answer is yes, but first, make sure you take you Xantex and high blood pressure medication.
The scene at T-Mobile arena was insane, simply insane. The fans were over the top, the opening to the game was over the top. The fast pace was over the top. To top it off, we WON!!
The opening poked fun at those doubters who scoffed at hockey in the desert. You either love or hate, but it is pure Vegas, you can’t expect anything less.
From the time the spotlight hit the ice, the regular season ticket holders knew what was about to begin. The spectacle was modified just a little from regular season narration, but this little piece of Vegas is a reminder to everyone that this city is different and we DO IT differently.
Vegas Golden Knights- Stanley Cup Highlights (1st round, game one)
For longtime NHL hockey fans, this is what playoff season is all about. For the Golden Knights fans, many new to the sport, this is new and simply breathtaking. NHL hockey has never had a better chance to gain new fans to the sport. We have at least four more games if we win the first best out of seven. If this stretches to the full seven games in the first round then we may see fans start dropping from excitement.
The Vegas Golden Knights were certainly playing playoff level hockey. They were fast, they outplayed and outscored the Los Angeles Kings 1-0. It wasn’t a high scoring game, but it didn’t need to be, the Knights still put one in the win column.
Shea Theodore scored the only goal with a giant slapshot from the blue line (or near it) at the first period 16:37 mark. The Vegas fourth line dominated the scoring opportunities. This is what sets Vegas apart, we have FOUR lines who can produce, not like three. Many teams use their fourth line as a “training camp” or back up so to speak. But the Golden Knights trade lines on a regular basis for fast play and throw off the opponent.
Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 30 shots and LA’s Quick stopped 27, with such a low scoring game it was a goalie fans dream.
The drama between the Golden Knights and the Kings has already begun with William Carrier taking an illegal check from Kings defenseman Drew Doughty. Doughty will miss Game 2 of the series. But, you can be sure that if Ryan Reaves, the newly acquired enforcer gets on the ice during this series it will be physical.
Isn’t that what we love about hockey? My Dad used to say, “Yup, you go to a fight and a hockey breaks out. That’s when you know it’s good.”
