LAS VEGAS: Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy mentioned he’s nonetheless attempting to determine tips on how to deal with the goalie scenario, whether or not to play each or whether or not at hand the majority of the work to at least one over the opposite.
After which which one over the opposite?
Logan Thompson and Adin Hill every have compelling instances to be within the internet when Vegas begins its Stanley Cup title protection. There are also equally compelling the reason why one ought to step apart whereas the opposite takes over.
Cassidy has cut up the begins down the stretch, and Thompson has been the higher goaltender of late, however Hill’s play in final yr’s postseason was a significant cause the Knights now have a championship banner hanging in T-Cell Area.
“I feel (Thompson’s) mindset is sweet going into the playoffs,” Cassidy mentioned. “He hasn’t performed playoff hockey, in order that’s one other animal. So to say, ‘OK, Logan, you’re going to be the man,’ (however) he’s by no means performed, is that truthful to him, particularly after what Hilly did final yr?
“If we simply give it to Hilly and say, ‘OK, have at it,’ properly, Logan’s performed fairly properly just lately and performed extra as a result of he’s been more healthy. So is that the best option to go? You most likely ultimately, form or type will see each guys. That’s not due to poor play, both. That simply is likely to be the easiest way to go for the place they’re each at proper now and the way their seasons have gone.”
Cassidy added the opponent received’t issue a lot into which 27-year-old begins.
Thompson is used to combating for every little thing he has achieved in hockey, taking an unorthodox path to the NHL. In 2021, he grew to become the primary goalie from U Sports activities — Canada’s model of the NCAA — to play within the league since 1994.
Thompson made the All-Star Sport in 2022-23, his official rookie season, however lower-body accidents pressured him out of the lineup for a lot of the season’s second half. He entered this season because the backup, however with Hill’s well being points, Thompson has taken benefit to assist lead the Knights to the playoffs for the sixth time in seven years.
Over his previous 11 video games, Thompson has allowed a 2.14-goal common with a .926 save proportion. Take away two video games by which he allowed a mixed 10 targets, his save proportion rises to .949.
“Final yr, individually, was irritating lacking the second half of the yr and never having the ability to put the jersey again on,” Thompson mentioned. “So I’m simply comfortable to be within the room and put the jersey on on daily basis and a be a part of it.”
Cassidy mentioned a few of the credit score has to go to the improved defensive play in entrance of Thompson in addition to the actual fact the Knights are tied for third with fewest penalty minutes per recreation at 7.4. And, Cassidy mentioned, Thompson is solely motivated to play in his first postseason.
“I feel he’s underneath management higher possibly than in the beginning of the yr,” Cassidy mentioned. “In order that tells me most likely his approach is strong.”
Hill was the participant the Knights turned to final postseason when Laurent Brossoit was injured in Sport 3 of the second-round collection towards Edmonton. Not solely did Hill preserve Vegas alive, he went 11-4 with a .932 save proportion and a pair of.17 targets allowed per recreation.
His stellar performed carried over to this season when Hill went 10-2-2 with a 1.87 GAA and .935 save proportion earlier than struggling a lower-body damage.
He had the same four-game stretch in January and February, posting 4-0 file with a 1.75 GAA and .947 proportion, however Hill has fought accidents and inconsistent play since then. Going again to Feb. 12, he’s 5-9 with a 3.76 GAA and .876 save proportion getting into Thursday night time’s regular-season finale towards Anaheim.
“His numbers aren’t nearly as good the final ‘x’ quantity of video games than they have been in the beginning,” Cassidy mentioned. “We are able to’t conceal from that. However his recreation doesn’t look unhealthy proper now. Pucks are discovering their method in, whether or not it’s by some holes or some bounces or no matter. So he simply has to keep it up mentally and get by these challenges as a result of we all know what he’s able to.”
Hill, who acknowledged his play may very well be higher, mentioned he may draw on the success of final season’s playoff expertise.
Whether or not Hill will get one other probability to repeat that postseason run or performs extra of a secondary position will quickly be decided.
“I’ve by no means actually seen a staff rotate goalies within the playoffs, so we’ll see,” Hill mentioned. “I’ll simply take it day-to-day.”
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