Vegas Golden Knights Seek 3rd Round Berth in Western Conference Playoffs The Vegas Golden Knights are set to face the Anaheim Ducks in Game 6 of the Western Conference Second Round on Thursday at Honda Center, with the stakes high for both teams. A victory for Vegas would secure their fifth appearance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs’ third round since their 2017-18 expansion season, marking another milestone in their franchise history. The Golden Knights, who have reached the conference final three times (2018, 2020, 2023) and the NHL Semifinals in 2021, are aiming to extend their record of series wins in the NHL since entering the league. With a 3-2 series lead, the Knights are looking to clinch their 14th series victory, surpassing the Tampa Bay Lightning’s previous record. The Ducks, meanwhile, are desperate to extend their playoff run beyond Game 6. This would be their first postseason elimination game since 2018, when they were swept by the San Jose Sharks in the first round. For Honda Center, the arena hasn’t hosted an elimination game since 2017, when the Ducks defeated the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of the second round. Anaheim’s coach Joel Quenneville emphasized the importance of the home advantage, noting that the team has not lost consecutive games in the postseason and remains undefeated at home this series. “We’ve got a chance to get to Game 7,” Quenneville said. “Anything can happen.” The series has been a battle of attrition, with the Golden Knights’ defense holding the Ducks to two goals or fewer in four of five games. However, the Ducks’ offensive spark has been crucial in recent games. Forward Alex Killorn highlighted the need for Anaheim to capitalize on opportunities, citing Olen Zellweger’s goal in Game 5 as a turning point.#anaheim_ducks #joel_quenneville #vegas_golden_knights #honda_center #john_tortorella
Golden Knights' Tortorella Calls Out Marner Critics Vegas Golden Knights coach John Tortorella publicly dismissed critics of forward Mitch Marner after the player delivered a standout performance in Game 3 of the second-round playoff series against the Anaheim Ducks. Marner scored three consecutive goals, marking his first career playoff hat trick, and Tortorella used the opportunity to challenge the narrative that the Toronto native struggles in high-stakes games. Speaking to reporters following the victory, Tortorella criticized the media and fans who have historically questioned Marner’s playoff contributions. “You guys don’t see the stuff he does,” he said. “People here, people in Toronto, all the people that talk about this guy, they don’t see any of the things that he brings to a game even if he doesn’t score a goal. I’ve known that coaching against him.” Tortorella emphasized that Marner’s value extends beyond scoring, calling him “a terrific player, one of the top players in this league and he plays for us.” The comments came after Marner led the NHL in playoff scoring with 13 points (six goals and seven assists) in nine games for the Golden Knights, a stark contrast to his previous career. During his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Marner accumulated 63 points in 70 playoff games over nine seasons but faced persistent criticism for the team’s inability to advance past the second round. Tortorella’s remarks directly addressed this skepticism, framing Marner’s performance as a rebuttal to those who doubted his ability to thrive in the postseason. Marner’s impact was evident in Game 3, where his offensive output helped the Golden Knights secure a 4-2 victory over the Ducks, extending their series lead to 2-1.#anaheim_ducks #toronto_maple_leafs #vegas_golden_knights #john_tortorella #mitch_marner
Golden Knights Coach Confident in Hart Despite Playoff Struggles Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella has publicly reaffirmed his unwavering belief in goaltender Carter Hart, despite the netminder’s struggles in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Tortorella, who has guided Hart through three and a half seasons with the team, emphasized that the 27-year-old’s ability to recover from setbacks and prepare for the next game remains a key strength. However, Hart’s performance in the postseason has raised concerns, as he ranks 16th among NHL goaltenders in save percentage (.888) and goals-against average (3.02). Tortorella’s confidence in Hart is rooted in his perceived growth over the years, though the coach acknowledged the goaltender’s challenges. “I think he’s able to put it away and that’s what a goalie has to do,” Tortorella said, highlighting Hart’s capacity to bounce back from poor stretches. The coach also noted that Hart’s mental resilience is critical, as he must avoid overthinking during moments of struggle. Hart’s performance has been partially buoyed by the Golden Knights’ offensive output, which ranks fourth in the postseason with an average of 3.40 goals per game. However, the team’s defensive struggles have offset this strength, as they allow 3.60 goals against per game—ranked fourth-worst in the playoffs. This balance has created a precarious situation for Hart, who must rely on his goaltending to compensate for the team’s defensive vulnerabilities. The Golden Knights’ reliance on their offense has been evident in recent games, with Hart benefiting from high-scoring victories. In their last two wins, the team scored five goals each time, but the Utah Mammoth limited them to just two goals in the previous two contests.#utah_mammoth #stanley_cup_playoffs #john_tortorella #carter_hart #golden_knights
John Tortorella Backs Carter Hart as Vegas Seeks Playoff Advantage Vegas Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella reaffirmed his decision to start goaltender Carter Hart in the team’s first-round playoff series against the Utah Mammoth, despite a recent decline in Hart’s statistical performance. The 27-year-old netminder, who entered Game 6 of the series facing mounting pressure to stabilize the defense, remains the team’s primary starter as the Knights aim for their second Stanley Cup title. Tortorella’s confidence in Hart is rooted in their long-standing professional relationship, dating back to their time with the Philadelphia Flyers, and his belief in Hart’s mental toughness and ability to handle the high-stakes environment of the postseason. Hart’s performance during the playoffs has shown a marked contrast to his earlier form. Initially, he posted a strong .935 save percentage and a 2.56 goals-against average in the opening matches. However, newer data from hockey news outlets indicates a significant drop in his effectiveness, with Hart now ranking 16th among postseason goaltenders at a .888 save percentage and a 3.02 goals-against average. Despite these numbers, Tortorella dismissed concerns about Hart’s recent struggles, emphasizing that the goaltender’s ability to compartmentalize setbacks and prepare for each game is a defining trait of a professional in the league. “The most important position in the game is the goaltender,” Tortorella said, highlighting the unique psychological challenges of the role. “You’re kind of on an island out there, in a team sport. That’s who he is. I think Carter has the ability to put things away and get ready to play the next day.#utah_mammoth #vegas_golden_knights #john_tortorella #carter_hart #devan_dubnyk
John Tortorella Faces Toughest Test Yet Against Red-Hot Oilers The Vegas Golden Knights are set to confront one of the most formidable challenges of the 2025-26 NHL season when they travel to Edmonton to face the red-hot Edmonton Oilers on Saturday, April 4. This matchup marks the culmination of a critical stretch for the Knights, who have already navigated two high-stakes games under Tortorella’s coaching tenure. While the initial tests against the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames yielded positive results, the Oilers represent a far greater threat, boasting a five-game winning streak and a clear focus on securing the Pacific Division title. The Knights’ ability to neutralize the Oilers’ offensive firepower will be pivotal in determining whether they can maintain momentum as the regular season approaches its final stages. The Oilers, led by superstar forward Connor McDavid, have emerged as a dominant force in the league, with their recent surge threatening to reshape the playoff landscape. Despite the absence of key player Leon Draisaitl for the majority of the season, the Oilers have adapted seamlessly, with McDavid and defenseman Evan Bouchard continuing to produce at elite levels. The team’s depth has also stepped up, as players like Zach Hyman, Matt Savoie, and Jack Roslovic have each scored at least three goals in the eight games Draisaitl has missed. This resilience has allowed the Oilers to maintain their offensive prowess, even without their star forward, and their ability to generate consistent scoring waves poses a significant challenge for the Knights. The Knights’ upcoming clash with the Oilers carries added weight due to the historical context of their rivalry.#connor_mcDavid #edmonton_oilers #vegas_golden_knights #john_tortorella #matt_savoie
