Ducks forward digs at Golden Knights when comparing speed to Oilers

The Anaheim Ducks took Game 2 of the second round against the Vegas Golden Knights 3-1 on Wednesday. The series now heads back to Southern California tied at one after two tight games in Vegas. The Ducks previously beat the Edmonton Oilers, and center Ryan Poehling compared and contrasted Connor McDavid’s squad with the Golden Knights.

“It’s not like Edmonton where it’s fast, fast, fast,” Poehling said, per NHL.com’s Nicholas J. Cotsonika. “We know they’re physical. We can play that game. But I think the way to beat them is just outpacing them. It’s not just with speed. It’s how we play — you know, right up. Guys are supporting one another, and you saw it tonight. When we get in that rhythm and take quick shifts, it’s a hard team to play against.”

There are few hockey teams ever assembled that can match the Oilers’ speed. McDavid was not 100% healthy in their first-round series against the Ducks, but Anaheim still came away blown back by the team’s speed. That is not how the Golden Knights are assembled, and it has not scared the Ducks.

Many of the Golden Knights’ best players are not burners. Mitch Marner, Mark Stone, Shea Theodore, and Tomas Hertl would blow people away at your local open skate. But compared to NHL players, they are not the fastest group. The Ducks have had success this year by playing with speed, which has helped them so far in these playoffs.

Game 1 between the Ducks and Golden Knights was very even. Vegas won 3-1, and Moneypuck.com’s Expected Goal calculations say Vegas barely outplayed Anaheim. The veteran squad won the xG battle 3.32-3.08. In Game 2, Anaheim earned the analytics edge, 3-2.58. All of the information says that the Ducks are hanging tough with the division champs through two games.

Game 3 of Ducks-Golden Knights is on Friday night in Anaheim.

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