Vegas Golden Knights: Possible Line Combinations Part 3
The NHL preseason is starting in less than a month, therefore, the Vegas Golden Knights need to figure out their lines.
In my previous two articles, I gave two different lineups that Vegas Golden Knights could use during the season. Today is my third possible lineup.
Possible Forward Lines
James Neal – Vadim Shipachyov – Reilly Smith
Erik Haula – William Karlsson – Jonathan Marchessault
David Perron – Cody Eakin – Tomas Hyka
Teemu Pulkkinen – Oscar Lindberg – Alex Tuch
This lineup includes some young guys who could impress Vegas in training camp, forcing their way into the starting roster. The first line of Neal, Shipachyov and Smith can be a good top line for the Knights. Neal and Smith are the scorers on the line, and centering them is Shipachyov, a playmaker. This line could surprise a lot of teams and if they can get some chemistry, they could be a very good line for Vegas.
The second line is another scoring line. Haula and Karlsson are the playmakers on the line, Marchessault scored 30 goals last season (2016-17), showing that he is a goal scorer. Like the first line, they could be a hard line to play against if the Knights use them properly.
The third line is a two-way line. They are defensive forwards who can help produce offensively when needed. Perron and Eakin have both had time on the PK and could really help the Knights in that area. Hyka is new to the NHL and could be a good surprise for Vegas.
More from Editorials
- Best Golden Knights prop bets for Stanley Cup Final Game 3
- Best Golden Knights NHL prop bets for Stanley Cup Final Game 2
- What is the Vegas Golden Knights’ goal song?
- Golden Knights prop bets for Stanley Cup Final Game 1
- Goaltender situation can improve with trade
On the fourth line is Pulkkinen, Lindberg and Tuch. Pulkkinen and Tuch can be a nice duo, Tuch is a playmaker and Pulkkinen is a sniper. Lindberg can play a forechecking game, thus he is able to get the puck and pass it to one of his linemates.
Possible Defence Lines
Jason Garrison – Brayden McNabb
Nate Schmidt – Colin Miller
Shea Theodore – Deryk Engelland
As I stated in my last article, the Knights have a lot of NHL ready defenceman who could make their starting roster. The top line of Garrison and McNabb could be defensive pairing for Vegas. Both players are defensively minded and are big bodied, they could be very hard to play against. One weakness is that they are both slow and that could be a problem for the Knights.
The second pairing of Schmidt and Miller could be a great one for Vegas. Both players are fast and have good two-way games. If they can figure out a good system, they could be the Knights’ best line.
Theodore and Engelland make up an interesting third pairing. Theodore has little NHL experience and Vegas could use Engelland to help Theodore transition to the NHL. If done properly, that tactic could help Theodore and Vegas in the long run.
Possible Goaltenders
Marc-Andre Fleury
Maxime Lagace
Unless Fleury has his worst NHL season, he will most likely be the Knights’ starting goaltender. With him holding the starting role, there will be a battle for the backup position.
Lagace could be the backup – probably not, but there is always a chance. He will have to have a strong training camp in order to impress the Knights enough for him to earn the backup role.
Overview
Vegas is a very defensive team and they will have to rely on Fleury and their defensive core if they want to win games. Their offence has some firepower, but it may not be enough to help the Knights win.
They have a lot of players who can play in the NHL, meaning that if one line does not work they can try out a different line.
Next: Expansion Draft: Calgary Flames (5/30)
The 2017-18 season most likely will be the year for Vegas to try different lines to see who has chemistry on their team.