Peter DeBoer uses positive reinforcement with Golden Knights

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As new Golden Knights coach Peter DeBoer reviewed film with his players before Saturday’s game against the Nashville Predators, he had a distinct advantage: A lot of the clips were positive.

DeBoer was quick to point out things the team did well in a 4-3 road win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday. He’s hoping positive reinforcement helps the system changes he wants to make stick quicker.

His counterpart, Predators coach John Hynes, is employing the same tactic. It’s a lot easier to get players to buy into changes if they see results early.

“It’s always nicer to reinforce what you’re trying to do with positive video,” DeBoer said. “It’s critical. You have some success with some of the things you’re trying to do early to create that belief system.”

The Knights are very much a work in progress as DeBoer tweaks their defensive zone positioning, breakouts and special teams. Wins like Friday’s — on the road against a team with the NHL’s sixth-best goal differential — can speed that up.

That has been Hynes’ experience in Nashville. He’s in almost the exact same position as DeBoer. He was fired by a struggling team earlier in the season (New Jersey Devils), then hired by a talented yet underachieving team. In his case, it was the Predators on Jan. 7.

An impressive comeback win in Washington on Wednesday seemed to give the Predators confidence. DeBoer is hoping the Knights’ win in Carolina can have a similar effect.

“That’s usually the most important thing when you try to implement things is (if) you can get some success out of the messages you’re sending to the guys, because that’s ultimately what really gets the buy-in,” Hynes said.

Whitecloud in

Defenseman Zach Whitecloud played his second NHL game Saturday in the Knights’ 3-0 victory over Nashville, 667 days after his debut April 5, 2018, against the Edmonton Oilers.

The 23-year-old finished with a hit, blocked shot and takeaway in 13:34 and had a plus-1 rating. He was even trusted with 1:08 of penalty kill time.

Before Saturday’s game DeBoer struggled to remember the rookie’s name — “The young guy, is it Whitecloud?” — when announcing the lineup change. The coach left the rink impressed.

“He’s a big guy, he moves pretty well,” DeBoer said. “He’s competitive. He wasn’t overwhelmed. I think that was probably the biggest thing. That’s a good team over there with a lot of good forwards. I thought he handled himself real well.”

After the game, the Knights assigned Whitecloud and forward Nicolas Roy to the American Hockey League’s Chicago Wolves.

Engelland out

Defenseman Deryk Engelland was a healthy scratch to make room for Whitecloud. It was the 37-year-old’s first missed game since Nov. 25.

Engelland has seen his role reduced under DeBoer. He played an average of 15:31 in his past four games, down from his season average of 17:38.

Contact Ben Gotz at bgotz@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BenSGotz on Twitter.