Vegas Golden Knights: Tuch the clear MVP of round-robin games
Alex Tuch was the best player on the ice for the Vegas Golden Knights during the round-robin games.
It is perhaps fair to argue that no Vegas Golden Knights player had more pressure on them heading into the Bubble than Tuch, who endured an injury-ravaged regular season.
And, while other Knights put up more points and Shea Theodore was sensational, there is no doubt that Tuch was a worthy MVP for Vegas during the restart.
Before we focus on the forward’s heroics in Edmonton, however, it is important we take a recent trip down memory lane first.
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After putting up a career-high 52 points (20 goals, 32 assists) in 74 games during the 2018-19 season, big things were expected of Tuch heading into 2019-20.
However, being bumped down to a third-line that had more changing personnel than an NBA team these days, coupled with a glut of cropping injuries, meant that Tuch never really caught fire this year.
He posted just 17 points (eight goals, nine assists) in 42 games with a -10 rating, with some fans wondering if Tuch was just a one-hit wonder.
If you really watch hockey though and love the X’s and O’s of it all, then you will know that the talent has always been there with Tuch.
He just needed to scratch the surface of his potential.
He certainly did that a year ago and he has showed in The Bubble that, when healthy, he has the ability to be a real X-factor for the Golden Knights.
From a points perspective, the 24-year-old had three goals for three points in three round-robin games and the one exhibition contest.
While the likes of Mark Stone had more points, you have to study the tape to see just how much of an impact Tuch made during the round-robin games.
He had two points in the exhibition game against the Coyotes, including a sublime goal from a near-impossible angle.
Then, with more on the line in the round-robin games, Tuch really came into his own and flashed signs of returning to the player he was in 2018-19.
He had two goals in the 6-4 win over the St. Louis Blues on Thursday, showing good net-front presence and slick hands for his second goal of the night.
But his best goal and best moment came in the final round-robin showdown with the Avalanche on Saturday.
With the game in Overtime and the winner taking the No.1 seed, Tuch carried the puck in on the rush before ripping a hell of a snipe past Philipp Grubauer for the game-winner.
It was the type of play that requires ice in your veins and the goal itself illustrated the wicked release that he possesses in his arsenal.
Tuch also averaged around 15 minutes of total ice time in the round-robin games, and he will be relied upon to really drive play from the third line once Max Pacioretty returns to action.
The restart has really been a coming-out-party for Tuch and hopefully these run of games has given him the confidence that he can be a leading point-getter for this team.
Tuch's brilliance, other takeaways from Avs win. dark. Next
He was so impressive for the Vegas Golden Knights and, if he can remain healthy, then Alex Tuch really can be the catalyst for this team in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
A healthy Alex Tuch at the peak of his powers could be the real difference for the Golden Knights when it really matters and it could spark the secondary scoring they so crave into life.