(Credit: NHL.com)

Tonight, the John Tortorella-led Golden Knights are aiming for a 2-0-0 start under their new coach. Monday represented the fourth time a Golden Knights coach won in their Vegas coaching debut. Picking up two points against the Flames would make Tortorella the third VGK coach to record two victories in their first two games. Monday’s win allowed for some much-needed optimism surrounding the Golden Knights, and it was all part of the firing/hiring plan.

I want to coach. This was an opportunity that came at me pretty quickly. It’s a great organization and a great group of guys. I think I do have to make an adjustment in how I coach here. I think it’s going to make me a better coach in being involved in a situation with a group of guys that are battle tested, played a ton of playoff games and won a championship two or three years ago. I just want to join and help. –John Tortorella, VGK coach on ESPN

In 2017, the first-ever VGK coach, Gerard Gallant, picked up his first victory in the franchise’s first-ever game. Next, Peter DeBoer defeated the Ottawa Senators on the road to stop a losing skid. Freshly fired Bruce Cassidy recorded his first in VGK’s 2022-23 season opener. Fast forward 321 games, and like clockwork, new boss Tortorella became the fourth VGK coach to go 1-0-0. Sure, it’s only one night of success, but it’s a small and vital way for a coach to kick off his tenure.

In Tortorella’s case, the victory, albeit against the hapless Vancouver Canucks, snapped Vegas out of their winless streak and helped fans to quickly move on from the shocking decision to swap coaches 24 hours earlier.

For the second time in team history, the Golden Knights made an in-season coaching change and followed their pattern from six years ago. VGK’s front office set Tortorella up with the same courtesy they did for DeBoer. With a patsy opponent in the first game of the new tenure, the team wakes up from their slumber, the new coach gets off to a good start, and the fans are less upset with the decision. It’s a win for everyone involved. Arguably, it’s one of the smartest tricks the Golden Knights organization has up their sleeves.

The same strategy was first implemented in February 2020. The front office relieved Gallant from his duties a day before a manageable matchup against the 16-23-8 Senators. The Golden Knights set DeBoer up to make his debut against Ottawa. The formula worked out perfectly. Vegas broke out of their losing skid; the new coach picked up his first win, and the fans quickly forgot about Gallant’s exit. It worked out so well hardly anyone remembers DeBoer and the Golden Knights losing the next two contests, one in shootout to Montreal and the next to Cassidy’s Bruins in Boston.

Of course, it’s a calculated and somewhat duplicitous move, clever nonetheless. The front office sets up their current coach for success, boosting the club’s and fans’ confidence. What the Golden Knights need right now is points and cohesion.

Monday’s win was a mindful decision by the organization to set Tortorella off on the right foot. As is tonight’s game against the 31-35-8 Calgary Flames coming off a 9-2 drubbing in Colorado.