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The Golden Knights’s Next Road Trip Is Down South

By Jacob Walters

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 12: Mark Stone #61 and Jack Eichel #9 of the Vegas Golden Knights react after Stone scored a goal against the Calgary Flames in overtime to win their game 5-4 at T-Mobile Arena on December 12, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 12: Mark Stone #61 and Jack Eichel #9 of the Vegas Golden Knights react after Stone scored a goal against the Calgary Flames in overtime to win their game 5-4 at T-Mobile Arena on December 12, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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There is something else the Vegas Golden Knights must watch for during their trip down south. Goaltending will be a major focal point, specifically with Adin Hill exiting Sunday’s game with an apparent injury. Logan Thompson also had some issues in that game, though he stuck it out until the end.

Vegas called up Jiri Patera as a precaution, mainly for Hill’s injury. Fortunately, the consensus around Thompson is that he’ll be fine. Still, the Golden Knights must continue to stick to their game plan to give the netminders a breather. Blocking shots and creating turnovers will do this.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 19: Jiri Patera #30 of the Vegas Golden Knights helps clean hats off the ice after his teammate Jack Eichel #9 scored a third-period goal, his third goal of the game, against the Columbus Blue Jackets at T-Mobile Arena on March 19, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Blue Jackets 7-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 19: Jiri Patera #30 of the Vegas Golden Knights helps clean hats off the ice after his teammate Jack Eichel #9 scored a third-period goal, his third goal of the game, against the Columbus Blue Jackets at T-Mobile Arena on March 19, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Blue Jackets 7-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

As for Patera, he’s got the potential to be a solid goalie in the NHL. He might be a project, but he also learns the game well. In 31 games with the Henderson Silver Knights last season, he had a GAA of 2.86 and a save percentage of .911. The upcoming trip south is an opportunity for Patera to learn even more.

The Golden Knights have been through this before. Last season, it was an array of injuries that tested their depth on their journey to the Stanley Cup. You can bet this will be no different, with Vegas’s game plan going into full swing during the road trip to remedy this.

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