Game two of the 2024-2025 NHL Preseason was underway Wednesday night. Starting at 10 p.m. EST, the Las Vegas Golden Knights welcomed the Los Angeles Kings into the fortress. With the regular season just moments away, Head Coach Bruce Cassidy of the Knights continues to switch his lines, finding the best chemistry among players in this new roster.
First Period
Period one of the Golden Knights and LA Kings games of the 2024-2025 NHL preseason started with a beautiful chance to score orchestrated by Tomas Hertl. Hertl made his presence known with the scoring opportunity only thirty seconds into the first period. Hertl claimed the majority of shots on goal for Vegas in the first period. Nicolas Roy, Tomas Hertl, and Alexander Holtz’s line made the most presence in the offensive zone this first period. A notable play from the defensive end of the Golden Knights’ team was Brayden McKnabb’s prone poke check while the Kings skated toward the net two-on-one.
The Las Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Ilya Samsonov kept very busy during the first period. After the Knights spent much time in the penalty box, the King’s advance was much less objected to. Pressure from the Los Angeles Kings dominated most of the first period. With the combination of two power plays, the Kings eventually scored two points with no response from Las Vegas. The first period of game two of the NHL Preseason closed with sixteen shots from the Kings and three from the Las Vegas Golden Knights.
Period 2
The Golden Knights finally arrived at the fortress after some line rearrangements from Head Coach Bruce Cassidy. The Golden Knights were much more responsive and quick to chase pucks down. Tanner Pearson had an early chance for scoring, aiming for the five-hole (space between the goaltender’s legs), but narrowly missed. Defenseman Noah Hanifin scored a flawless goal with an assist to Tanner Laczynski, who collided with the Kings goaltender and net. Alas, Hanifin’s goal was swiftly answered by the LA Kings, now leading 3-1.
Recently injured Nicolas Hague took his leave from the bench starting period two of game two. Thankfully returning and joining the rush on ice with nine minutes remaining in the period. With the Golden Knights reversing the pressure from period one, the LA Kings caught a cross-check penalty but were joined by Golden Knight Brendan Brisson in the box. Later in the period, the Golden Knights had their first power play after a minor cross-checking penalty. The second period in game two ended with time carrying over into the third and final period.
Period 3
Period three of game two for the Golden Knights preseason began with a power play with one minute and thirty-seven seconds remaining. An interference call was made on Alexander Holtz during the remaining power play time, giving up another two minutes to the LA Kings. The back-and-forth penalties continued thirty seconds into the King’s power play when they were penalized for having too many men on the ice. Neither team capitalized on the man advantage, but coming out of the power play in period three of game two, Tanner Pearson missed another fantastic chance, only for Tanner Laczynski to score on the turnover from a Kings player.
The board in game two read 3-2. The Golden Knights were set up for another opportunity at a power play from a Kings penalty. With the ending of the Knights’ power play, Vegas continued to fail at gaining the Kings’ blue line. With the penalties only increasing as game two progressed, Zach Whitecloud caught a high stick penalty shortly after the Vegas power play. The Knights nearly suffocated the Kings with offensive pressure in the third period. Only to come up short for the tying goal, ending game two at 3-2 Los Angeles Kings.
Game Two Notable Players and Breakdown
With a disappointing start in period one of game two for the VGK, the Knights only intensified and improved their gameplay as the game continued. VGK players in period one were sluggish and lacked ample response to ownerless pucks (with the exception of the Tomas Hertl line). During period two, we saw players like Tanner Pearson, Noah Hanifin, Kaedan Korczak, and Brendan Brisson attempt alongside Hertl to get pucks deep in the Kings’ zone. The first-period Knights were unrecognizable compared to the third-period team. Pavel Dorofeyev and others consistently put offensive pressure on the Kings.
After witnessing game two of the Golden Knights NHL Preseason, many of the VGK roster made fantastic plays. Young players new to the NHL and old veterans seemed to significantly improve their chemistry on the ice after Bruce Cassidy’s changes. The young Ilya Samsonov performed very well under numerous shots by the Kings. Although looking ahead to the remaining preseason games and onto the NHL regular season, the Golden Knights should heavily consider improving prolonged offensive plays. The Golden Knights are gifted on the rush, but sustaining offensive pressure could mean an untouchable team this coming season.
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