Saturday was a pivotal day for the Vegas Golden Knights. It was the day their season hung in the balance. It was the difference between impending elimination and heading home tied. The game required a top-notch performance from everyone involved.
That included an absent top line and a sporadic blue line group. These players needed a major performance to keep the team afloat. Otherwise, the tee box would be calling their names.
Luckily, the puck bounced towards Vegas in a close 4-3 overtime victory. It was Ivan Barbashev who sealed the deal for the Golden Knights, bringing them back to Las Vegas with the series tied. Suddenly, fans aren't panicking as much and there's actual hope in the series. That means the Golden Knights will automatically win, right?
While this is a ripe opportunity for a complete momentum shift, you still need two more games. Remember that the Wild have been great on the road as well, with a record of 23-13-5. It's part of why Minnesota was tricky to play against in Games 1 and 2.
Combined with a tricky neutral zone forecheck, the Wild will be tough to defeat on Tuesday. But let's look at two players who can ease the pain come Game 5. These two stars had huge games on Saturday and can carry that momentum into the new week. In fact, one of the names was clutch in overtime, helping the Golden Knights win. Here's who comes to mind.
1.) Ivan Barbashev
Saturday's "Superman-esque" hero didn't have the prettiest goal in overtime. However, it was enough to lead his team to a crucial victory. It turns out that the goal was desperately needed, too. Ivan Barbashev didn't register a single point in his first three games. Add an assist to the fun and you've unleashed a beast.
What's more is that the top line didn't register any points in the first three games. That included Jack Eichel and Mark Stone, where both players got an assist each in Game 4's victory. Barbashev's huge goal could be the catalyst that gets his linemates going, creating more scoring opportunities. Sometimes, it takes a little spark to jumpstart a unit, which can come from the unlikeliest sources.
If Barbashev can attack the net more and crash near the slot, he can create more scoring opportunities for his linemates. Similar to the Tomas Hertl tangle-up that Stone capitalized on, the Russian winger can create innovative ways to make Filip Gustavsson's life miserable.
2.) Nicolas Roy
This name might come as a shock to some people. However, it's only fitting for Nicolas Roy to appear on this list. After all, he did score the game-tying power play goal in the third period. But fans will notice something that's changed about his game.
Roy looks more comfortable playing at the center position than the wing. Sure, he can also adapt to playing alongside a center like Brett Howden or William Karlsson. But his best play comes with running an offense. Here, he can set up plays as he wishes and enter on the rush.
The forward quietly has one goal and two assists against the Minnesota Wild in this series. He's buoyed the Vegas Golden Knights' lower lines with his steady play, giving them a solid offensive leader. That will come in handy if the Golden Knights can find a way to match Minnesota's top line. That way, they can let the lower units take care of the rest.