The Golden Knights had survived well enough for most of the season, hovering around the top of the Pacific Division, but they really started struggling against the best teams in the league after the Olympic break. By the end of the season, they were struggling all around, with the league’s second-worst record post-Olympic break.
While they were still in a playoff spot, it was clear something was off. The Golden Knights had one of the most talented rosters in the league and needed a spark. So in a stunning move, they fired Cup-winning head coach Bruce Cassidy just weeks before the playoffs, opting to hire veteran coach John Tortorella.
Tortorella has been known for providing a spark for veteran teams, and it was the right place at the right time. Perhaps a more conventional team would’ve held on to Cassidy: Vegas was in a playoff spot, after all, and they could deal with this next year.
When it comes to the Golden Knights, next year is far too late. This team operates with quickness, and it works.
