It’s too early to put the “Captain Clutch” label on Trevor Connelly, but the Vegas Golden Knights rookie is making a push for it.
If there is a petition to make the case for Connelly, it’s a worthy one the past two games. Connelly has been responsible for the Knights earning, at least, a point in the first two games of this road trip.
It’s the latest stretch of a first NHL season that couldn’t have gone better for Connelly, or the team that put faith in him that he was ready for the moment.
“Just trying to win,” the 20-year-old said. “Trying to put my best foot down every shift, going out there and giving it my best effort.”
Connelly is one of four rookies in double digits in scoring. His six goals are tied with Boston’s James Hagens for most in the league. He had just gone through a five-game stretch without scoring a goal, his longest of the season.
Then came Monday against the Bruins, when he finished a sharp-angled shot near the net to tie it 2-2 midway through the third. Connelly followed that with a highlight-reel, breakaway goal in the third period Tuesday to tie after falling behind.
Trevor Connelly is speed 💨 https://t.co/OTCG4mGYG3
— NHL (@NHL) November 4, 2026
The Knights, by way of a 3-2 win in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, secured three of a possible four points on their season-long four-game road trip, and Connelly has played a role in that.
“He’s starting to make those big plays in those big moments for us,” coach Ryan Craig said. “I thought a very big goal for us to get tied up and reset us.”
Always learning
Connelly is learning as he goes in the NHL. One lesson learned the past two days was performance comes with pain. Both games saw Connelly take some shots that likely held the breath of everyone in the organization.
He got drilled into the boards by Boston defenseman Charlie McAvoy in the first period Monday, leaving with five minutes remaining. He returned for the second, responding by channeling his inner Paul Kariya of going off the floor and on the board.
Charlie McAvoy lays a HARD hit on Trevor Connelly into the end boards and Vegas took exception 😱😳 https://t.co/lyrzVdGmzj
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) November 3, 2026
Connelly’s goal Tuesday, as exciting as it was, ended with him going neck-first into the goal post. A sacrifice worth making, he would likely feel.
Connelly came down the middle with speed and ran out of room, but had an idea that backhand-to-forehand was the move to go with.
He’s learning on the fly as he goes. One lesson Connelly has learned is to trust his first instinct. Whatever it is, don’t second-guess. That’s what he did on his goal Tuesday.
‘Big moments’
“I’ve had a couple this year where I don’t trust my first instinct and it doesn’t go how I’d like it to,” Connelly said. “I kind of knew when I got that speed that if I cut back there, I thought I would have a good chance to score.”
It’s not hyperbolic to suggest Connelly is the most successful rookie/prospect the Knights have had. Never before has a Knights player even been mentioned in the same breath as the Calder Trophy, even this early in the season.
If there was a team to learn from, it would be a team coming off a trip to the Stanley Cup Final. Connelly has had the luxury of learning from Mitch Marner, a player he idolized growing up, and Tomas Hertl, a veteran 12 years his elder that’s been his center for nearly every game.
“A lot of support from these guys, especially Hertl,” Connelly said. “He’s helped me so much through this first half of the season. I can’t thank him enough.”
Connelly has earned this recognition on his own. He’s earned the right to play up the lineup as he has. He’s been productive away from the puck, as well as on it.
On the puck is what made him an exciting prospect to begin with. He showed the last two games that is where his impact will be felt.
“Big moments. That’s what Trevor does,” Craig said. ” I’ve seen him do it before.”
Contact Danny Webster at dwebster@reviewjournal.com. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.
Up next
■ Who: Golden Knights at Red Wings
■ When: 4 p.m. Thursday
■ Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
■ TV: KMCC-TV (Channel 34)
■ Streaming: KnightTime+
■ Radio: KVGS 107.9 FM
■ Line: Knights -140; total 6
