Look, Colorado gained the Stanley Cup in 2022 and really effectively may win it once more this 12 months.
However Vegas gained the Stanley Cup in 2023, and that is the Golden Knights’ fifth journey to the third spherical in 9 seasons. They’ve gained extra video games (71) and extra sequence (14) within the playoffs than another crew since they entered the NHL as an growth crew in 2017-18.
“Our gamers aren’t fazed,” Tortorella mentioned. “We’ve gone over how we need to play. It’s not modified from sequence to sequence, fairly actually. We’re making an attempt to play our recreation, not worrying an excessive amount of about countering off one other crew. We’re going to attempt to play our recreation, and I believe they really feel very comfy in it.”
The highway? The Golden Knights relish hostile environments. They’re 5-2 away from T-Cell Area within the playoffs. Tortorella went so far as to say occurring the highway would possibly even be a bonus for his gamers.
“They perceive the scenario,” Tortorella mentioned. “It doesn’t have to be defined to them. I believe they’re ready and count on what’s going to occur earlier than it comes their manner, and so they simply exit and play.”
The scary half? As assured because the Golden Knights are, they aren’t overconfident.
It is a veteran group that is aware of this was only one recreation. Whereas Vegas didn’t have captain Mark Stone, Colorado additionally didn’t have star defenseman Cale Makar. This was simply the beginning of what may very well be an extended sequence.
The Avalanche will reply. The Golden Knights will maintain respecting them, simply not an excessive amount of, and maintain making an attempt to enhance themselves.
“Pay attention, we had some main inconsistencies,” Tortorella mentioned. “We didn’t play a flawless recreation by any means. We obtained some well timed targets. We obtained some nice saves at key occasions. We now have work to do, and (it’s) good to get the primary one underneath your belt and get a win, however we have now loads of work to do after we’re taking part in towards that crew.”