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Vegas Golden Knights Report Cards: Jonathan Marchessault

By Andrew Steele-Davis

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 18: Jonathan Marchessault #81 of the Vegas Golden Knights scores a goal past Brenden Dillon #4 of the San Jose Sharks in the third period in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 18, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 18: Jonathan Marchessault #81 of the Vegas Golden Knights scores a goal past Brenden Dillon #4 of the San Jose Sharks in the third period in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 18, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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SAN JOSE, CA – APRIL 23: Jonathan Marchessault #81 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates a tying goal late in the third period against the San Jose Sharks in Game Seven of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 23, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA – APRIL 23: Jonathan Marchessault #81 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates a tying goal late in the third period against the San Jose Sharks in Game Seven of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 23, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Why The Grade

It is simple, really. Jonathan Marchessault was the best player on the Vegas Golden Knights roster in 2018-19 and he led the franchise in goals (25), assists (34), points (59), power play points (16), shots (278) and game-winning goals (six). He was simply sensational and dispelled the myth that 2017-18 was a one-off.

And, although they were not as potent as they were the year before, the top line of Reilly Smith, William Karlsson and Marchessault still caused various bluelines in the NHL to have nightmares throughout 2018-19. The trio combined for 168 points last year and they have established themselves as one of the most formidable lines in the NHL.

Marchessault is a consistent performer and that can be backed up by the fact that he embarked on six different three-game point streaks throughout the year, while he could always be relied upon to provide offense when his team were in need of a spark in the offensive zone.

He boasts a wicked release and is also a tenacious performer who isn’t afraid to get in the faces of his opponents in order to give his team an edge. Not only that but Marchessault has also evolved into a key glue guy in the locker room and is seen as one of the Knights’ leadership figures.

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His average of 18:09 minutes of ice time in 2018-19 was a career-high and that shows how instrumental he is to this team, while also illustrating how highly-regarded he is by the front office and by the coaching staff. He also came up clutch for his team on countless occasions as proven by his team-leading six game-winning goals, and he was productive in the postseason with six points (four goals, two assists) along with a plus/minus rating of +1.

There is no understating Marchessault’s value to this Vegas Golden Knights team and, under contract through 2023-24, he has a golden opportunity to continue to cement his status as an elite scorer in the NHL while trying to add a Stanley Cup to his resume.

LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 6: Jonathan Marchessault #81 of the Vegas Golden Knights skates with the puck as William Karlsson #71 looks on during the second period of the game against the Los Angeles Kings at STAPLES Center on April 6, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NHLI via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 6: Jonathan Marchessault #81 of the Vegas Golden Knights skates with the puck as William Karlsson #71 looks on during the second period of the game against the Los Angeles Kings at STAPLES Center on April 6, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Numbers

Games: 82

Goals: 25

Assists: 34

Points: 59

Power Play Goals: 5

Game-Winning Goals: 6

Shots: 278

Power Play Points: 16

Plus / Minus: +2

ATOI: 18:09

PIM: 52

Blocked Shots: 22

Hits: 98

Takeaways: 51

CF%: 54.0

oZS%: 52.4

Games (Playoffs): 7

Goals (Playoffs): 4

Assists (Playoffs): 2

Points (Playoffs): 6

Plus / Minus (Playoffs): +1

ATOI (Playoffs): 18:22

Shooting Percentage (Playoffs): 15.4

Next Report Card: Nate Schmidt

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