Don't look at the Vegas Golden Knights and Boston Bruins score...
Don't look at the Vegas Golden Knights and Boston Bruins score...
Don't look at the Vega—oh, sheet?
Yep, it's looking like that kind of night. Here's hoping that the Little Caesar's Pizza arrives here before I lose my darn tootin' mind.
Let's be honest. Being down after the second period, 4-0, isn't an ideal way to start a four-game East Coast swing. You don't want to leave fans wondering whether the Golden Knights are streaky. On top of that, you want to maintain the momentum from a strong January. Will they come back? Who knows (update: they lost).
Starting slow in Boston is never the way you want to go. You want to dominate and win competitive games, especially when you face Stanley Cup playoff teams. That means getting all hands on deck and ensuring everyone does their part.
Did you read that (almost said 'hear that')? Everyone!
That's why these three Golden Knights must have a strong road trip. You can only rely on Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, Mark Stone, and the power of friendship to carry you so far. Otherwise, you'll end up like the Edmonton Oilers, who have a talented team, only to fall short of the ultimate goal.
1.) Adin Hill
If there's ever a time for a hero to emerge in net, it's now with Adin Hill. There are still major concerns at the goaltender position, with Akira Schmid's performance against the Boston Bruins being a perfect example. Combine that with an injured Carter Hart and an unseasoned Carl Lindbom and the goaltending desperately needs some life.
That's where Hill comes in. The 29-year-old can turn it on when called upon, literally stealing games for the Golden Knights. Now's the time for Hill to literally do this, especially when games against the Maple Leafs, the Senators, and the frigid Montreal Canadiens loom.
2.) Ivan Barbashev
The bad thing about Barbashev's game is that he can be a streaky player. One month, he's scoring five goals and five assists and is enjoying the fruits of Jack Eichel down the middle. The next, he only has three assists for January.
That must change, specifically when Eichel is off his game. Three assists in January will not get the job done against playoff teams like the Bruins and the Canadiens. There will be no excuse if he doesn't pick up his linemates, such as Eichel and Mark Stone.
3.) Kaedan Korczak
Let me ask you something, dear reader. When was the last time that Korczak scored a goal? It's been a while, hasn't it? Like, we're talking about December 20 against the Calgary Flames. In fact, the defenseman only has two assists in January.
Of course, this doesn't necessarily apply to Korczak on the defensive front. He's doing well on this front, even with the revolving door of pair-mates. However, getting a couple of points will go a long way in carrying the depth scoring. That way, players like Reilly Smith aren't carrying the load at every turn.