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Golden Knights waste perfect PK as Ducks even series
Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Golden Knights waste perfect PK as Ducks even series

Originally posted on Dice City Sports  |  By Mark Hebert  |  Last updated May 7, 2026 9:09 AM ET
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The Golden Knights did not lose Game 2 in the first period, even if it felt that way early. Anaheim had three power plays in the opening 20 minutes, including Jack Eichel’s double minor, yet generated only three shots during those chances.

That should have been a win for Vegas. Instead, it became a warning.

The Knights killed all five Anaheim power plays in Wednesday’s 3-1 loss at T-Mobile Arena, but they could not turn those kills into control. The Ducks evened the second-round series 1-1 because their five-on-five game kept Vegas from building the pressure it needs.

John Tortorella pointed there after the loss.

“A lot of times we’re one and done,” Tortorella said. “We need to create more pressure there, and I think that will hurt their attack.”

The kill did its job

Vegas’ penalty kill was excellent, and there is no need to dress that up. The Ducks went 0-for-5, including 0-for-2 on the five-on-three, and Anaheim had 8:19 of power-play time without scoring.

“Outstanding,” Tortorella said of the kill. “It kind of screws us up. We wanted to try to get a good start and we’re sitting in the box.”

Mark Stone saw the same thing. The kill gave Vegas a chance, but the rest of the game did not follow.

“We got the kills where we needed them,” Stone said. “We got them done, but we just couldn’t get back on the saddle and get anything really cooking.”

One and done

Vegas won 63.2% of the faceoffs, had four power plays, blocked 19 shots and kept Anaheim from running away early. However, the Knights finished with only 22 shots, and they rarely stacked shifts together.

Stone said Vegas “didn’t get a ton of sustained ozone time.” William Karlsson said the Knights found pieces of their game in the third, but not enough.

“Once we do get some possession going over the blue line, and not reckless, we got some possession time going into the O-zone,” Karlsson said. “There’s there. We got to look at what we did well in that third and bring that to the next game.”

Anaheim deserves credit. Its forecheck pressured Vegas into quick decisions, flips and safe plays, but the Knights also made it easier by not getting to pucks fast enough.

Tortorella said Vegas needs to “get back quicker to the puck” to create cleaner looks up ice.

Game 3 has a clear ask

Lukas Dostal was good, stopping 21 of 22 shots, but this was not just a goalie story. Vegas did not make him work hard enough until late.

Anaheim scored once in the second, then again early in the third. Jansen Harkins added an empty-net goal before Stone broke the shutout on the power play with six seconds left.

Now the series shifts to Anaheim tied 1-1. The fix is not complicated, but it is hard.

Vegas has to arrive first, play below the goal line and make Anaheim defend longer than one shot. The Knights survived the penalties. In Game 3, they have to solve the pressure.

Up next

The Golden Knights visit the Anaheim Ducks for Game 3 on Friday at Honda Center. Puck drop is 6:30 p.m. Pacific Time, with the series tied 1-1.

Game 3 should sharpen the matchup. Jack Eichel leads Vegas with 10 playoff points, while Mitch Marner has nine and Brett Howden has a team-high five goals. For Anaheim, Jackson LaCombe has 10 points, and Leo Carlsson has four goals.

Carter Hart enters 5-3 with a 2.44 goals-against average and .912 save percentage. Lukas Dostal is also 5-3, with a 3.22 goals-against average and .886 save percentage.

The game will air on TNT, truTV and HBO Max.

This article first appeared on Dice City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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