The Vegas Golden Knights aren’t afraid to throw their weight around.

They just don’t do it often. They were in the top half of the league in hits because it didn’t need to be a calling card in the regular season.

But they proved in Game 1 in their 4-2 win over the Utah Mammoth that they can get physical if need be with 51 hits in a game that saw an 82 combined.

“I think that’s the message,” said winger Keegan Kolesar, who had a team-high nine of those hits. “Any team going into a playoff series is going to be physical with the opponent and see the distance their willing to go.”

Kolesar gave credit to winger Ivan Barbashev for setting the tone. The top-six forward, known for his bulldozing mentality, had eight hits along with his empty-net goal that sealed the win.

It’s fair to expect that kind of play won’t carry over throughout a seven-game series, especially Tuesday when the Knights look to take a 2-0 series lead at T-Mobile Arena.

But Kolesar, who was seventh in the league with 270 hits in the regular season, thinks it’s absolutely sustainable, even if it takes a toll one way or another.

“That’s what we play all year for,” Kolesar said. “It’s a style of play. It’s not like none of us are out there checking this season.”

The Knights averaged 20.49 hits this season, good for 14th in the league. A respectable number, but they’re not out there trying to go after the opposition.

Utah didn’t look rattled in its first ever playoff game, willing to mix it up with the Knights after every other whistle.

Mammoth left wing Lawson Crouse matched Kolesar’s total with nine of Utah’s 31 hits.

The temperature turned up as the game went on. Of the 16 penalty minutes handed out Sunday, 12 of them were roughing penalties.

Even Utah defenseman Sean Durzi landed a headbutt at Knights defenseman Rasmus Andersson in the first period. Only a roughing penalty was called, though.

“I think we’re a big team,” defenseman Brayden McNabb said. “We can play a lot of different styles. Being physical is just the playoffs. That’s how it is. It’s an important part this time of year. We have guys that can do it throughout the lineup.”

That was one of the areas of Game 1 that coach John Tortorella liked. He also thought the Knights did a good job sticking with it even when trailing 1-0 after the first and 2-1 after the second.

As for what else he’d like to see improved on, Tortorella is keeping things close to the vest for now.

“The stuff we need to work on, we’re going to keep that in the room,” Tortorella said. “There’s always some good stuff after games. There’s always some stuff you need to improve on. We had a good meeting today, and we’ll be ready to play our next one.”

The Knights needed another third-period comeback to put themselves in a position to take a commanding 2-0 series lead when it shifts to Salt Lake City on Friday.

History shows that Game 2 tends to be a struggle point. The Knights are 10-8 all-time in the second game of a best-of-7 series and just 7-7 at home.

The Knights can lean on that physicality to get the home crowd engaged. They might need to in order to keep the momentum going.

“It tends to skyrocket, and that’s the best part about it,” McNabb said. “You ask anyone, it’s the most fun. The intensity is through the roof.”

Contact Danny Webster at dwebster@reviewjournal.com. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.

Up next

Who: Mammoth at Golden Knights

What: Game 2, first round (Knights lead 1-0)

When: Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.

Where: T-Mobile Arena

TV: KMCC-34, ESPN2

Radio: KFLG 94.7 FM/KKGK 1340 AM

Line: Knights -160; total 6