Golden Knights enter playoffs trying to figure out goalie position

LAS VEGAS — Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy stated he’s nonetheless trying to figure out how to deal with the goalie scenario, whether or not to play each or to hand the majority of the work to one over the opposite.

And then which one over the opposite?

Logan Thompson and Adin Hill every have compelling instances to be within the web when Vegas begins its Stanley Cup title protection. There are also equally compelling explanation why every ought to step apart whereas the opposite takes over.

Cassidy has break 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 motive the Knights now have a championship banner hanging in T-Mobile Arena.

“I think [Thompson’s] mindset is good going into the playoffs,” Cassidy stated. “He hasn’t played playoff hockey, so that’s another animal. So, to say, ‘OK, Logan, you’re going to be the guy,’ [but] he’s never played, is that fair to him, especially after what Hilly did last year?

“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 is been more healthy. So, is that the proper approach to go? You most likely not directly, form or kind 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 won’t factor much into which 27-year-old starts.

Thompson is used to fighting for everything he has accomplished in hockey, taking an unorthodox route to the NHL. In 2021, he became the first goalie from U Sports — Canada’s version of the NCAA — to play in the league since 1994.

Thompson made the All-Star Game in 2022-23, his official rookie season, but lower-body injuries forced him out of the lineup for most of the season’s second half. He entered this season as the backup, but with Hill’s health issues, Thompson has taken advantage to help lead the Knights to the playoffs for the sixth time in seven years.

Over his past 11 games, Thompson has a 2.14 goals-against average with a .926 save percentage. Take away two games in which he allowed a combined 10 goals, and his save percentage rises to .949.

“Last yr, individually, was irritating lacking the second half of the yr and never having the ability to put the jersey again on,” Thompson said. “So, I’m simply blissful to be within the room and put the jersey on each day and a be a part of it.”

Cassidy said some of the credit has to go to the improved defensive play in front of Thompson as well as the fact the Knights are tied for third with fewest penalty minutes per game at 7.4. And, Cassidy said, Thompson is simply motivated to play in his first postseason.

“I feel he is below management higher perhaps than initially of the yr,” Cassidy said. “So that tells me most likely his method is stable.”

Hill was the player the Knights turned to last postseason when Laurent Brossoit was injured in Game 3 of the second-round series against Edmonton. Not only did Hill keep Vegas alive, he went 11-4 with a .932 save percentage and 2.17 goals allowed per game.

His stellar play carried over to this season when Hill went 10-2-2 with a 1.87 GAA and .935 save percentage before suffering a lower-body injury.

He had a similar four-game stretch in January and February, posting 4-0 record with a 1.75 GAA and .947 percentage, but Hill has fought injuries and inconsistent play since then. Going back to Feb. 12, he is 5-9 with a 3.76 GAA and .876 save percentage entering Thursday night’s regular-season finale against Anaheim.

“His numbers aren’t pretty much as good the final ‘X’ quantity of video games than they had been initially,” Cassidy said. “We cannot disguise from that. But his sport would not look unhealthy proper now. Pucks are discovering their approach in, whether or not it is 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 is able to.”

Hill, who acknowledged his play could be better, said he could draw on the success of last season’s playoff experience.

Whether Hill gets another chance to repeat that postseason run or plays more of a secondary role will soon be determined.

“I’ve by no means actually seen a workforce rotate goalies within the playoffs, so we’ll see,” Hill said. “I’ll simply take it daily.”