Golden Knights enjoying success on special teams in Stanley Cup Final

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The Vegas Golden Knights were looking to improve their special teams against the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final, and so far they've done just that.

The Golden Knights are 12-for-12 on the penalty kill and 6-for-17 (35.3 percent) on the power play in the first three games against the Panthers, a big reason why they hold a 2-1 lead in the best-of-7 series heading into Game 4 at FLA Live Arena on Saturday (8 p.m. ET; TNT, TBS, truTV, CBC, SN, TVAS).

The penalty kill probably had its best showing in Game 3, when Vegas held Florida to four shots on five power plays.

"We're keeping a lot of things to the outside," Golden Knights defenseman Zach Whitecloud said.

"Every power play likes to funnel pucks to the net now and create scrums at the net and all sorts of things, so it's managing the front of our net and make sure we're winning our battles there. We've been doing a good job on entries, too, limiting what they can create off the entry and getting our clears when the time comes."

Their penalty kill work in the Final is a vast improvement from the first three rounds, when the Golden Knights allowed 17 power-play goals on 46 opportunities (63 percent, 14th among Stanley Cup Playoff teams).

Vegas had to make some adjustments in the Western Conference Second Round against the Edmonton Oilers, who had the NHL's best power play through two rounds (18-for-39, 46.2 percent). After going 14-for-23 (60.9 percent) on the kill against the Oilers, the Golden Knights were 8-for-11 (72.7 percent) against the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Final.

"Against Edmonton, it was very hard," Vegas center William Karlsson said. "They were very skilled and good. But, yeah, I'm sure we learned a few things. But at the end of the day, it's us trying to adjust to what they're trying to do. We've been doing a good job since then. You could say that that was pretty good practice for Dallas and then Florida now."

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Golden Knights center Nicolas Roy said: "I think we're trying to be a little more aggressive on the kill than we've been in the past. I think it's been working. ... (Goalie Adin Hill) had a lot of big saves for us. Obviously, that makes a big difference. But our PK has been getting better game after game, and we just feel really good about it now."

Vegas couldn't score on its power play opportunity in overtime of Game 3 after Florida defenseman Gustav Forsling was called for tripping with 11.2 seconds remaining in regulation. Still, its play on the man-advantage has been potent in the Final after going 10-for-54 on the power play through the first three rounds (18.5 percent, ninth among playoff teams).

Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said part of that was wanting to take advantage of the Panthers' time in the box; Florida has averaged 18:22 penalty minutes per game, fourth among teams in the postseason.

"They play a physical game, so we have to make sure we're ready for it," Cassidy said. "So I think we were a little more prepared than previous series. You're always trying to be good on special teams. We knew we would have some and it was important for us to get it going because it's been kind of a little inconsistent throughout the playoffs."

Vegas has spread the wealth on the power play as well during the postseason. Forward Mark Stone has four power-play goals, and forward Jonathan Marchessault and center Jack Eichel each has three.

"We've kind of settled in here on Marchessault being on his strong side elbow as opposed to the one-timer, which he played a lot with the second group a lot of the year." Cassidy said. "The puck seems to be finding him better.

"I think we understand Florida, how they're trying to kill. Their 'D' do get away from the front of the net, a little more of a diamond coverage, so you can get interior. That was the Stone goal (in Game 3), even though it was 4-on-3, we find we can get into those pockets as well. It comes down to execution and finishing some plays, right? So we're on a bit of a roll that way."

The Golden Knights feel good about their overall game despite the 3-2 overtime loss to the Panthers in Game 3. That definitely includes special teams.

"So far it's been pretty good, I'd say," Karlsson said. "PK has been very good, now we've gotten some power-play goals, as well. I'd say it's clicking right now."