Golden Knights vets slowly shake off rust in preseason debut

It took longer than the Vegas Golden Knights would’ve liked to shake off the rust.

It was going to be a picture-perfect showing in the Knights’ 5-4 overtime win against the Utah Mammoth on Thursday. This was the perfect case study of the impact of this shortened training camp and preseason.

But the team was pleased how it got to its game after a shaky first period that saw them down 2-1, and then later 3-1 after 40 minutes.

The Knights got goals from defenseman Jeremy Lauzon and captain Mark Stone, then needed a six-on-five goal from center Tomas Hertl to tie it after Utah took the lead with 1:31 remaining.

Center Jack Eichel ended it 39 seconds into overtime.

“It’s the way the new camp and preseason is situated where you don’t have as much time, but I thought there were some good things in the second period,” Eichel said. “We came back to score in different areas.”

Eichel zeroed in on the improved offensive play in the second period. They started making plays below the goal line and attacked Utah goalie Sebastian Cossa in close.

They turned defense into offense — the calling card for this team that’s made them as successful as they’ve been for a decade.

“We have a lot of really good players in here, and we only had three months off,” Eichel said. “I think guys have been taking advantage of the practices in training camp, trying to compete hard.”

The Knights dressed close to their full opening night lineup. Coach Ryan Craig said the veterans were itching to get back out there for their first action since losing Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final to Carolina on June 14.

It came with trial and error. Craig switched the forward lines numerous times in the second period in an attempt to see different combinations, and maybe create a spark.

Forward Trevor Connelly took a few shifts with Eichel and Stone on the top line. Stone set up Connelly for a breakaway in the second period but he missed wide.

Forward Victor Olofsson also moved around. He scored the game’s first goal on a one-timer from defenseman Shea Theodore. He had another good look in the third while skating with center William Karlsson and forward Mitch Marner.

“Those little details, whether it was checking or defending, and then those little kind of plays that you make, I thought it came through,” Craig said. “As for the combinations, that could be how it works on some nights.”

The Knights debuted their new-look power play, as well, with Theodore quarterbacking the top unit and moving Marner to the right circle. The power play finished 1-for-4, with Stone scoring the tying goal on the man advantage with 6:54 remaining in regulation.

On paper, it was a game the Knights should’ve dominated. Utah played half of its NHL roster while the Knights were at full strength. Giving up four goals on 21 shots doesn’t yield good results for the team, or goaltender Adin Hill, who was shaky on the goals he allowed in his second start.

The beauty of preseason is it doesn’t matter. Just like it has no bearing that the Knights are 3-0 and will wrap up the preseason Saturday against the San Jose Sharks.

“I think, especially with how long the season was last year, I think two (preseason games) will be good,” defenseman Noah Hanifin said. “I think getting that one out of the way, you get some of that rust off, have a good practice tomorrow and then obviously Saturday will be another big opportunity for us. We have to make the most of it because it’s go time on Tuesday.”