It’s not like the Vegas Golden Knights need any extra motivation.
Sunday is the last time they’ll play at T-Mobile Arena this year. It would be their last game of the season if they lose Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Stanley Cup will be in the building. It’ll either be paraded around the ice for a third time in nine years, or it’s going on a plane back to Raleigh, North Carolina.
Saturday marked the anniversary of the Knights celebrating on their home ice in 2023. They defeated the Florida Panthers 9-3 in Game 5 to win their first championship.
“Is that today?” a surprised Brayden McNabb asked, knowing well that all days are a blur this time of year.
It was a nice reminder for McNabb. Every part of that celebration is seared in his mind. He taps into those images every now and then.
Sunday will be a reminder that the Knights don’t want to be on the other side of the celebration. They need a win to force a Game 7 back at Lenovo Center on Wednesday.
Nothing changes
“You’ve just got to win one game, and you’ve got a Game 7. Anything can happen,” McNabb said. “I think it’s just opportunity. What an opportunity this is for us. I may never have a chance to get back here again.”
Ten players remain on the team that steamrolled through the 2023 postseason to capture the Knights’ first championship.
There are plenty of voices that can speak to those that haven’t been in this situation before.
It’s a locker room coach John Tortorella has trusted throughout his short tenure. One where he knows he can trust the players to deliver at the right time.
“Plan doesn’t change from what we’ve been doing,” forward Mitch Marner said. “I think we’ve played some really good hockey throughout this series. I think we haven’t played a full 60 (minutes) in a lot of ways, as well. Just make sure we come in with the mindset of attacking right away.”
The Knights are staring in the face of elimination for the first time this postseason, on the heels of losing back-to-back games for the first time these playoffs in Games 4 and 5.
They’ve given up at least four goals in every game this series. Goaltender Carter Hart has been on the hook for all but one empty-netter.
But Tortorella — who snapped at a reporter after Game 5 for asking if he considered taking Hart out of the game for 2023 Cup winner Adin Hill — doubled down in his confidence in Hart.
“Because I know him,” Tortorella said of Hart. “I know there’s a better game in him. I’ve seen it throughout the playoffs. I think he’s a very good goalie. We’ve got to do a better job around him, too.”
Stalling Staal
Part of that is being better against Carolina captain Jordan Staal. He’s scored six goals in this series and is the first player in 70 years to score in the first five games of the Cup Final.
Staal has created havoc in front of the Knights’ crease, to the point where the 37-year-old will more than likely be the Conn Smythe Trophy winner for playoff MVP if Carolina closes it out on Sunday.
“You’re always looking back and evaluating. It kind of sucks, but it is what it is now,” McNabb said about losing Game 5. “As far as (Staal), we understand his game. It’s just being better up front.”
McNabb also assured that the Knights need to be better in front of Hart if they’re to have a chance. The Hurricanes’ power play is partly to do with that, going 6-for-12 since Game 2.
McNabb said the Knights need to get back to their details for a PK unit that finished seventh in the regular season.
“We’ve had a good kill all year long,” McNabb said. “It maybe has just gotten away from us. We’re confident with what we do in the PK. We’re not going to overthink it.”
‘The hard way’
Much like the Knights aren’t overthinking anything beyond Sunday.
It’s not the same kind of energy as their coach leaving his clothes in Carolina for Game 7 as a guarantee. It’s the confidence he has in his team.
The Knights are also confident, but are also aware it’s one loss away from a summer of “what could’ve been.”
They wouldn’t want it any other way.
“We have to do it the hard way now,” McNabb said. “It’s what we’ve done this year. We’ve had some adversity this year, played through lots of adversity. It’s another step in the road. It’s exciting. We can’t wait to get it going.”
Contact Danny Webster at dwebster@reviewjournal.com. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.
Up next
Who: Hurricanes at Golden Knights
What: Stanley Cup Final, Game 6 (Hurricanes lead 3-2)
When: 5 p.m. Sunday
Where: T-Mobile Arena
TV: ABC
Radio: KFLG 94.7 FM/KKGK 1340 AM
Line: Even; total 6
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Stanley Cup Final schedule
Game 1: Knights 5, Hurricanes 4
Game 2: Hurricanes 4, Knights 3 (OT)
Game 3: Knights 5, Hurricanes 4 (2OT)
Game 4: Hurricanes 5, Knights 3
Game 5: Hurricanes 4, Knights 2
Game 6: Sunday, 5 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena, KTNV-TV (Channel 13)
*Game 7: June 17, 5 p.m. at Lenovo Center, KTNV-TV (Channel 13)
*if necessary