3 ways the Golden Knights need to improve in Game 4 to even the series

On the strength of back-to-back wins from the Washington Capitals, the complexion of the Stanley Cup Final has shifted drastically.

The back-and-forth drama and theatrics of an epic Game 1 have become an afterthought, as for virtually the first time all season, the Vegas Golden Knights appear to be on the ropes.

The expansion team of destiny will quickly point to the thumping it received from the Winnipeg Jets to open the Western Conference Final as a similar experience of adversity - one the Golden Knights quickly overcame, reeling off four consecutive victories to reach this point.

Now, Vegas needs another bounce-back performance to make the final a best-of-three heading back to Sin City. Here are three areas where the club needs to show improvement Monday night to ensure that happens (all advanced stats courtesy Natural Stat Trick).

The second line

By this point in any playoff series, players are pretty familiar with who they'll draw for the majority of their matchups. For the Golden Knights' second line - composed of Erik Haula, James Neal, and David Perron - things haven't gone well against Alex Ovechkin and Co.

Outperforming the greatest goal-scorer of his generation as he looks to win the first Stanley Cup of his legendary career isn't exactly an easy task, but Vegas' trio needs to find a way to push back.

The Golden Knights' second line has combined for just one goal and three high-danger scoring chances all series. Head coach Gerard Gallant seems cognizant of that, as Alex Tuch will join the second line and Tomas Tatar appears set to replace Perron for Game 4.

For Vegas' sake, it better work.

Not-so-Wild Bill

(Photo Courtesy: Getty Images)

As Vegas' second line struggles, the performance of the top unit of William Karlsson, Reilly Smith, and Jonathan Marchessault becomes paramount to the Golden Knights' chances of winning. However, the trio's most potent goal-scorer hasn't found a way to make a grand impact just yet.

Aside from a goal in Game 1, Karlsson has been held pointless, and only mustered two shots on goal at five-on-five through three contests - including a goose egg Saturday night.

Marchessault and Smith have produced seven and three high-danger chances, respectively, to Karlsson's one. The Golden Knights' 43-goal man needs to be better if one of the most relentless lines in hockey is going to make a difference Monday in Washington.

Drive the net

In Game 1, the Golden Knights produced quality chance after quality chance - 24 in total, 14 of which were classified as high-danger at five-on-five.

Since, Vegas has 14 high-danger chances combined, and only three goals over two games. The Capitals' defensive corps deserves some credit for adjusting and keeping the Golden Knights' chances to the perimeter, but Braden Holtby isn't going to be solved by shots from the outside, and the onus is on Gallant's crew to change that.

Since Day 1 of this dream season, the Golden Knights' mandate has been to force opponents back with their speed, converting on their chances from dangerous areas along the way. After being bottled up for two consecutive contests, Vegas needs to push the pace and return to what's worked for 100 games so far.

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