Golden Knights preparing to embrace playoff mentality against Jets
Vegas Golden Knights center Brett Howden (21) scans the ice while blocked by Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dylan Samberg (54) during second period of NHL game against Winnipeg Jets on Thursday April 3, 2025 in Las Vegas. The successful road trip locked up a playoff spot for the Vegas Golden Knights, but the battle for the Pacific Division is still hotly contested. On Monday, the Golden Knights make the push to establish more positive momentum for themselves when they face the Winnipeg Jets.
Venue : T-Mobile Arena Date : Monday, April 13 Time : 7:00 pm PST How To Watch : ESPN+, SCRIPPS Radio : 1340 AM, 94. 7 FM Saturday’s emotionally charged overtime victory over the Colorado Avalanche serves as a confidence booster for the Golden Knights, who gave the President’s Trophy winner all they could handle. With playoffs now secure, the attention now focuses on who the Golden Knights are up against when the postseason starts this weekend.
“We’ve given ourselves a spark. We’ve played a lot better over the last couple weeks,” said forward Mark Stone. “Our game’s been building, starting to get more opportunistic goals as well…It’s been good so far.
” Safeties off Something that has turned into a hallmark of head coach John Tortorella’s team has been how the team has never been afraid to attack. Between defensemen being willing to pinch down in the offensive zone and players like Stone finding more opportunities to establish a net front presence, the Golden Knights under Tortorella have forged a new identity as an aggressive team on offense. While this has lead to some rush opportunities for the opposition on the other end, the veteran head coach has confidence in his goaltending to make the saves they need to make.
It is this mindset that won Tortorella a Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004, and it is the same one that he has carried throughout his career. “My old assistant in Tampa Bay, Craig Ramsay, he’s the one who had that and it just resonated with me, and that’s how we’re trying to play,” said Tortorella during his press conference before morning skate. “That’s pressure.