Ontario, California – The Vegas Golden Knights opened their preseason schedule on Saturday with a 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings at the Empire Classic.
As a reminder, this was just the first game of the preseason, so any observations should be taken with a grain of salt. The Knights avoided major mistakes, but their play was somewhat sloppy at times—passes missed their targets, pucks were mishandled, and the game’s rhythm was inconsistent, which is typical early in the season.
Nevertheless, the team demonstrated a disciplined approach, especially on the penalty kill, and they held strong defensively to limit the Kings’ offensive opportunities. These are positive signs to watch as the preseason progresses.
Without further delay, here are three key takeaways from the Golden Knights’ victory:
1. The Positive Aspects
I should mention upfront that I’m not an expert in goaltending, so I tend to rely on insights from those who know the position better. That said, I was impressed with Adin Hill’s performance.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from Hill, especially since he hasn’t played since April 9th. The night was a bit unusual for him—with the Kings taking 15 minutes to record their third shot—but he remained composed and made several impressive saves. It’s worth noting that neither of LA’s goals seemed to be on him. According to head coach Ryan Craig, Hill will get another preseason start, and so far, he’s making a good impression.
2. The Room for Improvement
The Kings’ lineup was mostly comprised of younger players fighting for a spot, with only three veterans—forwards Trevor Moore, Scott Laughton, and goalie Anton Forsberg. Fans wanted to see standout performances from prospects like Braeden Bowman, but he didn’t really shine.
Though he wasn’t terrible and there’s no cause for concern after just one game, I was hoping to see more from him, especially since he had made a splash during last year’s training camp. Overall, the team’s defensive effort was solid, which limited dangerous chances against them. Still, it would be encouraging to see more from Bowman moving forward.
3. The Most Exciting Moments
I traveled to Ontario primarily to watch Trevor Connelly’s first preseason game. The highly-touted prospect didn’t disappoint, creating several quality scoring chances, generating offense effortlessly, and drawing a penalty.
The standout performer was Jackson Hallum. His speed has been a highlight throughout camp, and in this game, he proved he can command attention in a real competitive setting. He used his quickness to generate scoring chances, including the game-winning goal in the third period. Afterward, Hallum said, “I try to play my best with whatever opportunity I get. I can’t look ahead; I just focus on where I am and make the most of it.”
Fan Take: This game might be just preseason, but seeing prospects like Hallum and Connelly step up with confidence gives fans hope for the team’s future. Early signs indicate the Golden Knights have talented young players capable of making an impact, which keeps the sport exciting and full of promise for the upcoming season.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
