3 Golden Knights Who Have Stepped Up in Place of Injured Stars
The Vegas Golden Knights’ seven-game point streak came to an end in their team’s final game before the All-Star Break on Saturday, January 27, when they lost 5-2 to the Detroit Red Wings. Though they ended up losing, the point streak gave them much-needed momentum going into the half, and it also served as another illustration of the Golden Knights’ tenacity in the face of injury-related misfortune.
Despite the absence of Jack Eichel, Shea Theodore, William Karlsson, and William Carrier, Vegas managed to secure a 5-0-1 record, which featured two victories against the New York Rangers, who were leading the Metropolitan Division. Adin Hill had a successful campaign along the way, and Brendan Brisson and Sheldon Rempal scored their first NHL goals.
The Golden Knights’ embrace of the “next man up” mentality is embodied in this stretch, a group philosophy that has only intensified under Bruce Cassidy. Once more, there was no lack of players willing to step up when called upon.
Marchessault, Jonathan
During Jonathan Marchessault’s time with the Golden Knights, it has been simple to take him for granted. Although both teammates and fans adore the gregarious and humorous native of Quebec, his consistent output sometimes goes unnoticed. With circumstances such as these (and his Conn Smythe-winning postseason play from last spring), it’s good to take a moment to recognize the 33-year-old’s significance to the team.
Throughout the team’s winning run of six games, Marchessault led the way with eight goals and three assists. Despite having less than 16 minutes of ice time last Friday (Jan. 26), he scored his seventh career hat trick, which included the game-winning goal, while visiting Madison Square Garden. Vegas usually has a good season when Marchessault is playing well, as we witnessed during the postseason.
Perhaps You Would Enjoy Ivan Barbashev
Ivan Barbashev had a difficult season’s first half. Under no circumstances could the former St. Louis Blue, who was signed to a five-year, $25 million contract in the offseason to essentially replace Vegas original Reilly Smith, have to earn the trust of Golden Knights supporters. Unfortunately, after exiting
Thankfully, it appears that Barbashev and his colleagues can move on from the cold start. With Marchessault and Nicolas Roy, he forms a dangerous line that appears to be just as strong as the Marchessault/Barbashev/Eichel trio from the playoffs. In his last six games, the 28-year-old has scored four goals and provided seven assists.
Stephenson Chandler
In relation to players who lacked optimal performance for a large portion of the first half, Chandler Stephenson has regressed at an inopportune moment. In a contract year, the 29-year-old finds himself struggling to maintain a 50-point pace after two seasons of remarkably consistent 64- and 65-point campaigns.
For Stephenson, stepping up to the starting center position in Eichel’s absence has been beneficial. Following a nearly invisible 10-game slump that yielded just one assist, his injury-related promotion to the top line gave the former Washington Capital an instant boost in production. Over the next five games, he scored two goals and provided five assists. Stephenson is one of the Golden Knights with the greatest personal stakes going into the final 32 games of the season.
The good news is that relief appears to be in the offing. Karlsson is expected to rejoin the starting lineup following the All-Star Break, having officially exited the long-term injury reserve (LTIR). It is thought that Eichel’s prognosis is not as dire as first thought, and he should recover in time for the playoffs. While they pursue the Vancouver Canucks and attempt to hold off the Edmonton Oilers in the Pacific Division, the Golden Knights can only benefit from getting more out of Marchessault, Barbashev, Stephenson, and any other number of contributors.
