Not one person predicted the Vegas Golden Knights would be in this position on January 22nd.
Every team in the NHL had flaws coming into the regular season including the Vegas Golden Knights. This team had something to prove because every player on the roster had something in common. Every player’s former squad had to make a tough choice in leaving them exposed in the NHL expansion draft.
In a strange coincidence, this is the best thing that could’ve ever happened in their NHL careers. Every player, coach, and front office personal member wants to prove everyone in the NHL wrong. And so far, they aren’t just proving them wrong; they’re making them look silly.
The Golden Knights finally pushed ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning for first place in the NHL with 66 points. There are not many star players on the team unlike the Lightning, but all 20 players on the ice have bought into what Gerard Gallant has been preaching. We also need to give credit to general manager George McPhee for putting the right roster together for a coach like Gallant.
If you thought Jonathan Marchessault had a breakout campaign in 2016-17, then think again. Sure, his 30 goals, 21 assists and 51 points came out of nowhere but this year he’s on pace to blow those numbers out of the water. In 43 games played, the Cap-Rouge, Quebec native notched 17 goals, 26 assists, and 43 points already and we still have a half a season to go.
James Neal is another player who’s on pace to break last years totals. He’s a ten year NHL veteran, and in all ten years, he’s scored at least 20 goals which is quite an accomplishment. In 2017-18, the Whitby, Ontario native registered 21 goals, 11 assists and 32 points in 46 games played.
The emergence of a player like William Karlsson was precisely what this organization needed heading into the season. He was a fourth line role player with the Columbus Blue Jackets, and now he has completely flipped the script in becoming a first line force. The Marsta, Sweden native leads the Western Conference in goals with 25, and he also has 15 assists and 40 points with a +23 rating.
And let’s not forget the kind of season Marc-Andre Fleury is having. In 16 games played, the Flower posted an 11-3-2 record with a 1.68 GAA and a save percentage of .946%. If he didn’t get injured, there’s a good shot he would’ve received this year’s Vezina trophy.
Next: Vegas Golden Knights Fall In Overtime Against Florida Panthers
All in all, every player has stepped up on the Vegas Golden Knights roster. But these four players have really carried the load for Vegas and deserve all the credit in the world. I’m not sure if they will stay in the top position in the NHL for the rest of the year, but it sure looks like we’ll be getting some playoff hockey in April.