Page 64 - LVG&L 2018 WINTER

[ FE A T UR E ]

HOME T O W N BO Y S

duced as a group. It’s a deep team that features
players that have a chip on their shoulder, are
playing for one another, and are auditioning
for their future every night. The schedule was
favorable early on, and to the Golden Knights’
credit they took advantage of the opportunity
presented. Their main attribute is resilience,
which points directly to [head coach] Gerard
Gallant. They've battled through myriad
injuries to goaltenders, which makes their fast
start even more remarkable.
“Can it continue? Yes, with a few caveats.
McPhee has a long-term master plan in place
and with nine unrestricted free agents on the
team, trades will most certainly occur, with
draft picks and prospects the expected return.
When and who will be traded are the ques-
tions that will determine the end results for
this team. The longer they are in the playoff
hunt, the more confounding the situation
becomes for the GM.
If the on-the-ice success continues, it will
most likely be difficult for McPhee to look in
the eyes of his players and coaches and make
decisions to alter the roster of a team playing
at such a high level. The Knights play for each
other and they play for the city.”
“They use everybody in all situations and
it is a total team effort,” Golden Knights
television color commentator Shane Knidy
said following a November home victory over
the Los Angeles Kings. “When you talk to
Mcphee, the one word that always comes to
mind is ‘character,’ and that is what I think
about when I watch the Golden Knights play.
When it comes to playing at home, there is
truly something special about the T-Mo-
bile Arena. It started with the first game on
October 10 and it has grown and grown. They
must have a good feeling when they step on
the home ice for the first period that some-
thing positive is going to happen.”
Vegas loves winners. No matter how the
season ends, the Golden Knights have proven
they are.

62 LVG&L WINTER 2018 W W W.L ASVEGASGOLFANDLEISURE.COM