The Golden Knights got knocked out of the playoffs because they couldn’t seem to score any goals. It was a tough blow for the team as they were shut out in the final two games of their second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers, ultimately losing in a 1-0 overtime defeat in Game 5 on May 14. This marked a significant departure from previous playoff losses for the Knights, as this time, they couldn’t find the back of the net at all.
A change in philosophy might be on the horizon for the team, as head coach Bruce Cassidy acknowledged the need to shift towards a more shoot-first mentality. In a post-game interview after Game 5, Cassidy mentioned that the team was not typically one to prioritize shooting, but that might need to change moving forward. The Knights had faced a similar issue in the previous postseason, where their lack of scoring ultimately led to their downfall in the first-round loss to the Dallas Stars.
Despite a strong showing in the regular season, averaging 3.34 goals per game, the Knights struggled to replicate that success in the playoffs, only managing to score 2.55 goals per game. Even the top five goal scorers from the regular season failed to make an impact in the postseason, with players like Pavel Dorofeyev, Tomas Hertl, Jack Eichel, Ivan Barbashev, and Brett Howden failing to find the back of the net against Edmonton.
Cassidy emphasized the need for a shift in mindset, encouraging players to be more aggressive in shooting and creating offensive opportunities. While he doesn’t plan on completely overhauling the team’s approach, Cassidy believes that a balance between making plays and taking shots is crucial for success. The team needs to focus on generating offense, especially when faced with tough situations like the playoffs.
General manager Kelly McCrimmon acknowledged the team’s offensive struggles but expressed confidence that it wasn’t a chronic issue that would define the team’s future. While offense tends to dry up in the playoffs, McCrimmon pointed out that the team had other concerns beyond scoring against Edmonton. A poor all-around performance in Game 4 was particularly disappointing, as it cost the team a chance to level the series.
Players like Jack Eichel could play a key role in addressing the team’s offensive woes, with Cassidy suggesting that Eichel could benefit from being more aggressive in shooting. Eichel himself acknowledged the need to be more selfish in finding ways to score goals and contribute more effectively. While Cassidy doesn’t want players to completely change their style of play, he believes that a slight shift towards shooting more could be beneficial for the team.
In conclusion, the Golden Knights’ playoff exit highlighted the need for a change in approach when it comes to scoring goals. While the team had a strong regular season, their inability to find the back of the net in crucial playoff games proved to be their downfall. Moving forward, a more shoot-first mentality and a balance between making plays and taking shots could be the key to success for the Knights in future playoff runs.
