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Vegas Golden Knights: Three Blackhawks to watch out for

By Andrew Steele-Davis |
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 10: Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates onto the ice during player introductions prior to the home opening game against the San Jose Sharks at United Center on October 10, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 10: Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates onto the ice during player introductions prior to the home opening game against the San Jose Sharks at United Center on October 10, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

It is the final game of the road trip for the Vegas Golden Knights who faceoff against the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center tonight (5:30 p.m. PT).

After opening this three-game road trip with a 3-0 shutout win against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, the Vegas Golden Knights were brought back to earth with an almighty bump last night after being humbled 6-2 by the Philadelphia Flyers.

But that is in the past and now all eyes will be on trying to finish this road trip with a winning record by beating the Blackhawks, who are 2-3-1 on the year after being defeated 5-3 by the Washington Capitals on Sunday.

However, the Blackhawks are tied for the fewest amount of games in the NHL and it could be only a matter of time until they get going.

They have a loaded and talented roster and they will pose the Golden Knights with a tough test this evening.

We’ve picked out three players that the Vegas Golden Knights will have to pay close attention to…

CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 10: Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks and Marc-Edouard Vlasic #44 of the San Jose Sharks watch for the puck next to goalie Aaron Dell #30 in the third period at the United Center on October 10, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 10: Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks and Marc-Edouard Vlasic #44 of the San Jose Sharks watch for the puck next to goalie Aaron Dell #30 in the third period at the United Center on October 10, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images) /

1. Patrick Kane

We’ll start with an obvious one. Patrick Kane is one of the elite talents in the NHL and he seems to keep on elevating his game to another level if that is even possible.

After carving out a career-year in 2018-19 with 110 points (44 goals, 66 assists) in 81 games, Kane has enjoyed a solid start to this year too with three goals and five assists for eight points.

Kane is a deadly sniper in the NHL and he’s a scoring threat no matter where he is on the ice, while he can unlock a defense with a pinpoint pass.

He can also cause havoc on the power play too and he will be looking to take advantage of the Golden Knights’ inability to get the puck out of the zone tonight.

CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 20: Kirby Dach #77 of the Chicago Blackhawks stands with the starting line-up during the game against the Washington Capitals at the United Center on October 20, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 20: Kirby Dach #77 of the Chicago Blackhawks stands with the starting line-up during the game against the Washington Capitals at the United Center on October 20, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images) /

2. Kirby Dach

From an obvious name to a not-so obvious name, Kirby Dach made his NHL debut for the Chicago Blackhawks during their 5-3 loss to the Washington Capitals on Sunday.

Dach was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and the 6’4″ 198 lbs center is seen as a long-term replacement for Hawks Captain Jonathan Toews, with his high hockey IQ and playmaking ability standing out in particular.

After being sent down to the AHL with the Rockford IceHogs on a Conditioning Assignment, Dach was called back up and played in his first ever NHL game against the Caps on Sunday, slotting in as the second line center in-between Dylan Strome and Patrick Kane.

The new-look trio fared okay together, combining for eight shot attempts for and nine against at 5-on-5, in addition to four scoring chances for and five against in 12:27 of ice time, according to Natural Stat Trick.

That line will get another look tonight and Dach will no doubt be keen to record his first NHL point and help the Blackhawks get back to .500.

CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 14: Alexander Nylander #92 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates in the third period against the Edmonton Oilers at the United Center on October 14, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 14: Alexander Nylander #92 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates in the third period against the Edmonton Oilers at the United Center on October 14, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images) /

3. Alexander Nylander

We are aware we are going with all forwards here but Alexander Nylander is an interesting case. Drafted with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres, Nylander never really lived up to his potential and was traded to the Blackhawks this summer for defenseman Henri Jokiharju.

It was a trade that was met with a lot of scrutiny given Nylander’s failure to really light up the NHL, but he’s actually enjoyed a productive start to his Blackhawks career and a change of scenery seems to be doing the trick.

Through five games Nylander has two goals and two assists for four points, including two assists in the 5-3 loss to the Washington Capitals on Sunday.

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Nylander is blessed with exceptional hockey sense, a treasure chest of skill and soft, silky hands. He’s playing at the peak of his powers right now and he’ll be looking to continue his hot streak against the Vegas Golden Knights tonight.

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