The homestand continues for the Vegas Golden Knights today as they face a real litmus test against the St. Louis Blues.
With three wins during this current seven-game homestand, the Vegas Golden Knights are on a roll right now and they will want that to continue this afternoon.
It won’t be easy, however, against an elite St. Louis team who play a real physical brand of hockey in addition to boasting an abundance of riches on their roster.
All the ingredients are in the melting pot for today’s game to be a real mouthwatering contest, and we’ve put together some storylines to keep an eye on…
Storyline 1 – Keep the run going
The Vegas Golden Knights could win a fourth consecutive game today, which would tie a season-high.
It would also be Vegas’ fourth straight win on this current homestand and a victory would only strengthen their grip on the Pacific Division.
After a woeful November (5-6-3), the Golden Knights went on an absolut tear in December with a 9-4-2 record and they are starting to look like the team we all thought they would be.
There is no doubt that they are playing at an elite level right now and winning tonight would only highlight the fact that the Knights are finally fulfilling their potential.
Storyline 2 – Beware of the backlash
Stanley Cup hangover, what Stanley Cup hangover?
The St. Louis Blues have refused to rest on their laurels after winning their first Stanley Cup in franchise history last year, instead emerging as the best team in both the Central Division and in the Western Conference this season.
However, the Blues have dropped their last two games including a 7-3 blowout loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday.
It was a tough loss for St. Louis but expect them to be done with licking their wounds and instead ready to muster up a response today.
An even more determined Blues squad could spell danger for the Knights.
Storyline 3 – Perron’s breakout year
David Perron played a key role in the Vegas Golden Knights’ magical run to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural year, tallying 66 points (16 goals, 50 assists) during the regular season and a further 9 points (one goal, eight assists) in the postseason.
And Perron has really broken out offensively this year, potting 16 goals and contributing 24 assists for 40 points through 42 points.
It has been an outstanding season for the forward and he has a chance to go to the 2020 All-Star Game in St. Louis via the “Last Men-In” ballot.
However, and oddly enough, Perron has failed to record even a point in the four games he has played against Vegas, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that changed tonight given how well he is playing.
Storyline 4 – Play hard for the whole 60
When these two franchises did battle at Enterprise Center on Dec. 12, the Vegas Golden Knights actually equipped themselves well.
However, the Knights couldn’t kill off the game after taking a 2-1 lead into the second period and they instead gave up three unanswered goals to hand the contest to St. Louis.
That can not happen again, especially against an elite Blues team.
Instead, the Golden Knights must put in a complete 60-minute effort and keep their foot on the gas for the whole game.
If they get a lead then they must put their foot on the throat of the Blues and show the same killer instinct they have shown in the previous three games.
Storyline 5 – Battle of the All-Stars
Vegas Golden Knights Head Coach Gerard Gallant will be heading to the 2020 NHL All-Star Game in St. Louis later this month, as will Blues Head Coach Craig Berube.
Gallant will be behind the bench for the Pacific Division while Berube will coach the Central Division, and the two will get to lock horns tonight.
Berube has been a revelation for the Blues and was the mastermind behind their Stanley Cup success last year, while Gallant has pushed mostly all the right buttons in his three years behind the bench of the Golden Knights.
They are both at the top of their game right now and they will both want to seize the upperhand before facing each other in the All-Star Game.