As I'm watching the Olympics, I'm noticing that Damian Clara is playing like an unstoppable force for Italy. He's holding his own against Sweden, making easy moves and using his size to swallow up shots. In turn, the Italians are holding their own and staying in the game, despite not getting any shots on goal.
I noticed that this was a breakout candidate emerging from his shell. He made every shot look effortless and withstood every barrage in the offensive zone. Suddenly, the Italians had something that not many teams of ther stature would dare have: hope.
Looking at the Vegas Golden Knights' roster, you'll see that there are plenty of breakout candidates. Of course, you have your standard Jack Eichel's and your Mark Stone's ready to do damage in large numbers. But those aren't the only players that Golden Knights fans should watch for.
In fact, three other names loom large as potential breakout candidates. That could include one of Eichel's linemates and even a netminder. Let's dive into this little list and see who's worthy of having their Damian Clara moment once the Olympics end. After all, everyone loves a good surprise out of left field!
1.) Ivan Barbashev
If there's one major benefit of playing with Jack Eichel on the top line, it's that he's terrific at making plays for his teammates. In fact, he's made Barbashev better, regardless of whoever's on his opposite wing (stats courtesy of MoneyPuck, minimum of 150 minutes).
Line | Minutes | xGoals % | XGoals For | xGoals Against |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Barbashev-Eichel-Bowman | 194.2 | 55.9% | 9 | 7.1 |
Barbashev-Eichel-Stone | 222.7 | 55.5% | 9.6 | 7.7 |
Having an Olympian or two on your line isn't the only thing that the Russian has going, though. He also closed out the last five games extremely well, scoring four goals and two assists in that span. Watch for the 30-year-old to break out during the remaining stretch and add more scoring.
2.) Adin Hill
Could Adin Hill be a potential breakout candidate after the Olympic break? Having a GAA of 3.27 and a save percentage of .870 would suggest that he's due to return to the mean. That's especially true when you have key players returning to the mix.
You can point to Brayden McNabb's return as one of those key points, specifically on the back end. The Golden Knights will get much better at closing shooting lanes and taking space away from opponents, making life easier for the goaltenders in the process. That includes Hill, who could use some help in minimizing his mistakes.
3.) Reilly Smith
Smith has had his breakout moments throughout the 2025-26 season. Last month, he scored four goals and two assists, which might not see like much. However, he contributed three goals and an assist during the Golden Knights' seven-game winning streak.
If there's anybody who knows how to break through and go on a scoring spurt, it's the Original Misfit. He can score in shortened spurts, whether it's three or four games. That should provide ample offense for a Golden Knights team looking to go past being the first place team of a middling division.