Hunt might be answer to improve power play
Knights record special teams goals in past two games
As an undersized defenseman growing up, Brad Hunt needed a way to stand out.
“The power play was one way that I really focused on,” he said.
Hunt could be the talisman for the Golden Knights’ ailing power play, which ranks last in the NHL at 8.3 percent (2for-24).
After failing to produce a goal in the first six games, the No. 1 unit scored with the man advantage in each of the past two games since the 5-foot-9-inch Hunt entered the lineup.
“He sees the ice real good and he puts pucks to the net,” coach Gerard Gallant said. “He’s a guy that can skate real well and he moves the puck well. His vision’s really good and he’s a good offensive player, so we’ll give him an opportunity to be there and then we’ll load up the other unit with (Shea Theodore) and (Colin) Miller, couple of big shots and guys who can skate, too. It’s just something to try.”
Hunt forged an NHL career due in large part to his ability to run a power play.
Of his 28 career points entering Wednesday’s game against Vancouver at T-mobile Arena, more than half (16) have been with the man advantage.
He has five career goals, four of which came on the power play.
“You watch (Colin Miller) on our team and guys across the league and you pick up little things,” the 30-year-old Hunt said. “But it’s always been something where even from a young age, I always excelled at that part of my game.”
The Knights’ success on the power play has coincided with Hunt being in the lineup.
Last season, the Knights’ power play clicked at a 23.3 percent success rate (31-for-133) in Hunt’s 45 games. That percentage over a full season would have tied for sixth in the league.
In games Hunt was scratched, the Knights converted at 19.1 percent (22-for115) on the power play.
The Knights scored a power-play goal
KNIGHTS
in nine straight games from Jan. 21 to Feb. 8, with Hunt appearing in eight of those contests.
During a 14-game stretch from Jan. 21 to Feb. 19, the Knights went 15-for-38 with the man advantage. Hunt played in every game but one and had seven points, including five on the power play.
“He has great patience and he’s smart with the puck. He makes every little plays out there that are simple and