‘They were the better team’: Golden Knights have room to improve in Game 2

The Vegas Golden Knights know they got away with one on Monday.

Not just from the benefit of a potential no-call in what turned out to be the game-winning goal, but how they played through 60 minutes in Game 1 against the Anaheim Ducks at T-Mobile Arena.

The Knights won’t be sorry for grabbing a 3-1 win and carrying a 1-0 series lead into Game 2 back at T-Mobile Arena on Wednesday.

They also know it wasn’t anywhere near their best performance.

“They were the better team tonight,” coach John Tortorella said.

The Ducks controlled the first period with an 11-6 edge in shots, but more importantly dictated the pace at 5-on-5.

They had an 11-3 edge in shots, 9-4 in scoring chances and 4-1 in high-danger opportunities, according to Natural Stat Trick.

But goaltender Carter Hart, who Tortorella called “our best player tonight,” stopped all 11 shots and bought his teammates time to find their rhythm.

Brett Howden’s goal 3:14 into the second period did just that, tapping in the backdoor pass from Mitch Marner for his fifth goal in four games.

“We were a little sloppy,” Howden said. “We recognized that and we knew that.”

The Knights were outshot 34-22 but it was only the third time in the playoffs they were held to under 30 shots.

The other times were Game 2 in a 3-2 loss to Utah and the Game 6 clincher on Friday.

Anaheim was credited with 2.76 expected goals at 5-on-5, according to Natural Stat Trick, and had a 12-6 advantage in high-dangers chances.

Yet the Knights still outscored them 2-1.

“We’re fortunate we found a way to win,” Tortorella said. “The played well. Some of it had to do with them. They played well, but we have some things to work on. I’ll leave it at that.”

It’s another instance over the last week where it’s not how the Knights win. Just that they find a way to do so.

Marner said the Knights can find another gear heading into Game 2. They know that well after losing Game 2 to the Mammoth after winning Game 1.

Anaheim also bounced back to even its first-round series against the Edmonton Oilers when it dropped the opener on the road.

“I don’t think anyone in that locker room is very satisfied with that win,” Marner said after his second consecutive multipoint game. “We know we got to be a lot better. We know we can play a lot better.”

The Knights also neutralized an Anaheim power play that went 8-for-16 in the six games against the Oilers, going 4-for-4 on the penalty kill.

They’re 19-of-20 while shorthanded through seven games.

The Ducks didn’t look comfortable on the man advantage. Anaheim had five shots, but its most dangerous look didn’t come until the third period on a one-timer from leading goal scorer Cutter Gauthier.

“The PK was great tonight,” Howden said. “Obviously, we’d like to stay out of the box because they’ve got a good power play, but I thought our PK did a really good job and we created momentum off of that.”

Tortorella thought the Knights started to find their game as it wore on, which turned into another case of experience playing a factor against a team that hasn’t been in this situation.

The Ducks didn’t look startled in Game 1. They had multiple chances to win.

“I’m certainly not going to apologize for the win,” Tortorella said. “I think the biggest thing is we need to be honest with ourselves. We’ll look at some of the stuff, and I think we have a better game coming up.”