(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)
Tomorrow night, the Golden Knights will have a chance to take a 3-2 series lead over the Minnesota Wild. It’s been an emotional and exciting four games so far as each team has secured home and road victories. Some believe the series shouldn’t be this close had Vegas’ stars been able to produce at their normal rate.
It’s no secret, and fairly obvious to most, that VGK superstar Jack Eichel has sorely been missing on the scoresheet. Certainly, there are questions about his health, but without any confirmation, the assumption has to be that the center is fit to play. To win two of the next three games, his statistical presence is mandatory.
(Credit: Hockey-Reference.com)
During the regular season Eichel averaged 1.22 points per game, through four playoff games he has one assist, a secondary tally on the power play. His lack of production looks even more problematic as he’s recorded a -7 rating in 88:27 minutes played this postseason. Unfortunately, it’s a growing trend.
Dating back to last season’s first round exit against the Dallas Stars, Eichel has registered a zero or worse +/- rating in eight straight playoff matches. Sure, some hockey people disregard the +/- statistic in the regular season but it’s black and white in the playoffs. Were you or were you not on the ice when the other team scored?
Thankfully, #9 has a past history of late series consistency. In five career Game 5’s, Eichel has accumulated six points and has a +2 rating. His percentages elevate even more in the sixth game of a postseason series. Since his arrival, the Golden Knights are 6-2 in Game 5 and 6. When Eichel is defending and scoring, Vegas is undoubtedly at their best, which is why many believe the Wild haven’t seen the Golden Knights at their full potential this series.
As the Golden Knights sit two wins away from the second round the questions will continue to surround Eichel and Mark Stone’s production. Will it come in Game 5? And will they impact Game 5 at the level they have all season long?
This is a series. They’re a heck of a team. Not going to be easy. It was a good game both sides. This is what we expect. Best out of three going back to Vegas, and yeah, we’re in a good spot. Keep our heads up here. -Marcus Foligno, MIN forward
Sure, there are concerns that Eichel hasn’t caught fire yet, but overall the outlook should be highly hopeful. Think of it this way, Vegas needs only two wins to eliminate the Wild and Eichel and Stone have one assist each. Conventional thinking and career statistics suggest both are about to break out.
