This certainly was not the first idea that came to mind as a must-win game, but it has certainly turned into one for the Vegas Golden Knights.
This certainly was not the first idea that came to mind as a must-win game, but it has certainly turned into one for the Vegas Golden Knights.
On Wednesday, the Golden Knights begin the final back-to-back before the Olympic break against the Vancouver Canucks.
Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, NV
Date: Wednesday, February 4
Time: 7:00pm PST
How To Watch: ESPN+, SCRIPPS
Radio: 1340 AM, 94.7 FM
Everything that could go wrong for the Golden Knights has over the past few weeks. The team has lost seven of the last eight games as the rest of the Pacific Division has caught up, and issues that have plagued the team all season have turned into five-alarm (or rather goal horn) fires. It is easy for the Golden Knights to look ahead to the Olympics, but there is still work to do as their league hopes are starting to sour.
Here is how they can rewrite the wrongs of the recent past against the Canucks.
It can get worse?
As bad as things have been for the Golden Knights, they have been a season-long struggle for the Canucks.
The season has gotten completely away from Vancouver, sitting in dead last in the NHL with 42 points and a 2-7-1 record in their last 10 games. Trading Vezina-caliber defenseman Quinn Hughes and injuries to key players such as goaltender Thatcher Demko have not helped, but the Canucks have done virtually nothing right over the past few months. If the Golden Knights are ever going to break their cold spell, this is the game to do it.
Set the tone
The way for the Golden Knights to finally break through is to solve their first-period woes.
Too many losses have come because the Golden Knights have struggled to start on time, often having to crawl out of multi-goal deficits. It cannot happen again versus the Canucks, so a push involving heavy offensive zone time and responsible net-front defense is imperative early. If this is still an issue by the start of the break, that could open the door for some uncomfortable conversations as the team begins to reconvene.
Calling for reinforcements
An unfortunate injury to Jonas Rondbjerg has given the Golden Knights the green light to see if Henderson can provide any relief.
On Tuesday, Kai Uchacz was spotted during line rushes at morning skate, and all signs point to him making his NHL debut against the Canucks. While Uchacz’s numbers have come a bit down with the Henderson Silver Knights this season (six goals and 17 points), he has been able to work on the finer points of his game and has established himself as a solid bottom-six presence. He is expected to center the fourth line with Cole Reinhardt and Braeden Bowman, so this is an excellent opportunity to see if he can stick at the NHL level.
Category: General Sports
