Ontario, California – On Saturday, the Vegas Golden Knights started their preseason with a 4-2 win against the Los Angeles Kings at the Empire Classic.
Before sharing my thoughts, I want to emphasize that this was just the first preseason game, so it’s early days. The Golden Knights avoided major mistakes, but there was some “sloppy hockey” typical of preseason play—passes missed, pucks mishandled, and a somewhat uneven game flow.
Nevertheless, the team showed good discipline and structure. Their penalty kill was particularly strong, and their defensive effort prevented the Kings from launching sustained offensive attacks. These are encouraging signs, even in an exhibition game.
Now, here are my three main takeaways from the Golden Knights’ victory:
1. The Positive Aspects
I should admit that I’m not an expert on goaltending, so I’m cautious about making deep judgments about the netminders without input from knowledgeable sources. That said, I liked what I saw from Adin Hill tonight.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from Hill in his first game since April 9th, especially since the Kings took 15 minutes to record their third shot. But Hill looked composed and confident, making several impressive saves. It’s fair to say that neither of LA’s goals seemed to be his fault. Coach Ryan Craig mentioned Hill would start again in preseason, and so far, Hill has made a positive impression.
2. The Negatives
The Kings’ roster tonight mainly featured young players competing for spots, with only three veterans—forwards Trevor Moore, Scott Laughton, and goaltender Anton Forsberg. This game was an opportunity for players like Braeden Bowman to make an impression, but he didn’t quite seize the moment.
He wasn’t terrible, and there’s no need to overanalyze one average game, especially since he looked sharp during earlier camp drills. The team’s defensive play was generally solid, so I was hoping to see more from Bowman, who made a name for himself at last year’s training camp. Still, there’s no major cause for concern.
3. The Most Noteworthy Players
I traveled to Ontario to watch Trevor Connelly’s first preseason appearance. The highly regarded young forward had a strong showing, creating scoring chances and drawing penalties—displaying the skill and confidence that has the organization high on him.
However, the real standout was Jackson Hallum. His speed continues to impress in camp, and he proved he can command attention in a game setting. Hallum was instrumental in creating the game-winning goal in the third period, demonstrating his potential to make an impact. Postgame, Hallum said, “I just try to play the best I can with whatever opportunity I’m given,” emphasizing his focus on taking it one step at a time.
Fan Take: This preseason game hints at a promising season ahead, especially with young players stepping up and showing their potential. For hockey fans, it’s exciting to see emerging talents like Hallum begin making a mark early, hinting at a bright future for the sport.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
