Blueger perfect fit for Golden Knights entering Game 2 of West Final

LAS VEGAS -- Teddy Blueger didn't like the feeling of not playing the first nine games of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the Vegas Golden Knights.

But he and Vegas have liked the results since the forward finally joined the lineup.

The Golden Knights have won all three games this postseason when they have played Blueger, who is plus-1 with a goal. That came in a 4-3 overtime win against the Dallas Stars in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final on Friday.

Game 2 of the best-of-7 series is here Sunday (3 p.m. ET; ABC, CBC, SN, TVAS).

Blueger said he didn't let it bother him too much when he was inactive. He made his season playoff debut in Game 5 of the second round against the Edmonton Oilers, a 4-3 victory May 12.

"[It's] obviously not great not playing, but you try and be there supporting the guys and be encouraging," Blueger said. "The most important thing is for the team to win, so whatever my role is, you've got to embrace that."

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Blueger was in the lineup again for a series-clinching 5-2 win at Edmonton in Game 6 on Sunday, then scored in the third period Friday. He put in a loose puck from just outside the crease to give Vegas a 3-2 lead at 9:20 of the third period.

"I showed up to the rink and realized I'm playing," Blueger said of being pressed into action after those nine games. "Obviously, you're happy that you're going to be in and stuff, but you've got to prepare. You haven't played in a while, so you have to make sure you're dialed in on all the details."

Blueger's influence doesn't often show up on the score sheet. He's a defensive-minded forward who helps on the forecheck and wins face-offs in the defensive zone.

"It's a credit to him for staying ready first and foremost," Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said. "He kept himself ready [so that] if he did get his opportunity, he wouldn't be behind. He's a high-character guy."

Blueger was acquired in a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 1 for defenseman Peter Diliberatore and a third-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. It was a move made to add depth while center Nicolas Roy was out with a lower-body injury.

Blueger fit the prototype of what Cassidy looks for in a fourth-line center.

"That was an area we were hoping to address. And we did," Cassidy said. "[General manager Kelly McCrimmon] found a perfect fit for us."

Blueger had six points (two goals, four assists) in 18 regular-season games for Vegas. He also brought with him some playoff experience, having played 18 postseason games with Pittsburgh the previous four seasons.

While he was a healthy scratch earlier the playoffs, Blueger worked primarily in small groups with assistant coaches Misha Donskov and Ryan Craig. He could be seen regularly getting ice time after practice to keep his game sharp.

"As far as staying ready, you're just hoping for an opportunity and making sure my conditioning is up to speed," Blueger said. "I'm getting my touches, working on my game and stuff. I did a lot of work with 'Mish' and 'Craiger' out there in practice and after practice. … I'm just making sure I'm getting those things in, so they helped me out a lot."