How have the Golden Knights elevated their game throughout the playoffs?

The Vegas Golden Knights went from a team that barely squeaked into the Stanley Cup Playoffs to one that is now just four wins away from their second championship in franchise history.

After a tight opening series against the Utah Mammoth, Vegas has looked like the far-and-away better squad against both the Anaheim Ducks and Colorado Avalanche. Led by strong defensive performances from the likes of Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb, as well as a goaltender in Carter Hart whose game has improved through the playoffs, the Golden Knights come out of the West with as good a chance as anyone to hoist Lord Stanley’s mug.

On Monday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Tyler Yaremchuk and former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton are joined by former NHL video coach Steve Peters to discuss the Golden Knights’ playoff run and what comes next for a Vegas squad in the Stanley Cup Final.

Tyler Yaremchuk: The way we view Vegas has changed in the middle of these playoffs. Yeah they beat Utah, then they beat Anaheim … then boom, they peaked in that Western Conference Final.

What was the change? What were the flip switches in their game that allowed them to elevate?

Steve Peters: They have progressed through these playoffs. If you watch Utah in Game 3 and 4, they were the better team. We thought Vegas might get knocked out. But then they played better, then they played better against Anaheim.

This has been about their ability to defend Carter Hart, and Carter Hart’s ability to improve as the playoffs continued. He hadn’t played a lot of hockey, but as he plays more and more, he’s been a key factor in this run to the Final.

The Golden Knights’ ability to defend is right there with the Hurricanes and their ability to have that low-scoring, low-event game.

You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here…