The Vegas Golden Knights are no strangers to adversity, but they faced a particularly tough test early in Game 5 when defenseman Brayden McNabb was ejected for a hit on Anaheim Ducks forward Ryan Poehling. Already missing a starting defenseman, the Knights suddenly found themselves shorthanded on the blue line—and the Ducks capitalized, with Poehling leaving the game and not returning.
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety later issued a one-game suspension to McNabb, marking the first suspension of his 14-year career. Ducks coach Joel Quenneville confirmed Poehling will not be available for Game 6. “You never want to see anyone get hurt,” said defenseman Rasmus Andersson. “I hope Ryan is okay over there.”
But the Golden Knights also rallied around their own. McNabb, known for his physical, hard-nosed style, is far from a dirty player—he’s annually among the team leaders in hits and a respected veteran. “He’d like to be out there with us,” said forward Keegan Kolesar. “I’ve been in that position. You feel gutted, putting the team in that situation, in a 5-minute major, and then down a guy early… We got through that 5-minute major with only one goal against. I think that’s a win.”
Kolesar knows the feeling all too well. “The year we won, I took a 5-minute major in Edmonton. I felt pretty gutted. Thankfully, we won, and I just went around and hugged everyone. You feel awful during those moments, and having good teammates is what picks you up from that.”
That tight-knit bond is exactly what defines this Golden Knights squad. Coaches and players alike talk about the strength and resilience in the locker room, and it’s that chemistry that helps them weather any storm. “It’s just what we do as a team: we pick each other up,” Kolesar added. “I think we just wanted to rally around each other.”
With McNabb out, Ben Hutton and Dylan Coghlan stepped into elevated roles in Game 5, and their importance will only grow in Game 6 as the Golden Knights look to close out the series without their long-time alternate captain. For a team that prides itself on unity and grit, this is just another challenge to overcome together.