The Vegas Golden Knights have seen some interesting things to start the season. Take your pick from the many bizarre things that've happened. It might be Adin Hill and Mark Stone going down for the millionth time due to injuries. It could also be the gazillion overtime losses since Vegas has struggled to win overtime games.
Whatever the case, it's been a bizarre season that has seen the Golden Knights suddenly turn the tide. Entering Saturday's game against the Anaheim Ducks, the Golden Knights are 3-0-2 and are knocking on the door in the Pacific Division. You can say that... the Evil Empire is back.
That can only mean one thing: the Golden Knights are ready to get a second Stanley Cup. With Eichel coming back on a heater and the defensive units playing more complete hockey, Vegas looks like Vegas should. But they haven't done this by sacrificing chickens or fairy dust.
Instead, it's thanks to three names. These three players aren't who you're thinking of, either. You know how well Braeden Bowman has been along with Jack Eichel. However, you should know what these three players have been up to. After all, you can't just win a sports game by one or two guys alone (that's how you end up like Edmonton).
1.) Tomas Hertl
Everyone's favorite turtle has broken through in the past seven games, scoring four goals and three assists. That includes two assists on the power play, revitalizing a once-dormant unit to terrorize local villages.
It's a welcome sign for the Vegas Golden Knights, who've looked for other scoring options aside from Jack Eichel, Pavel Dorofeyev, and Mitch Marner. With Hertl leading the ninth-best power play in the NHL (24.3% entering Saturday), Vegas can sit well knowing that its slot presence is covered.
2.) Shea Theodore
Much has been made about the defensive improvements made by the defenseman this year. He's committed more to stay-at-home work and has done more in blocking shots. However, he's also made a significant turnaround in his offensive game.
His last seven games have seen the Original Misfit score three goals and five assists. Suddenly, Theodore has jumped back into the scoring in an impactful way, turning the Golden Knights into a menacing machine.
Such scoring could be what the doctor ordered in the long run, too. Vegas has struggled to generate anything from the middle of the lineup until recent weeks. Now? That could be what's needed to bring home Stanley Cup No. 2.
3.) Ben Hutton
Look, I know that two goals entering Saturday's contest against the Anaheim Ducks doesn't sound like much. But let's give it up for the defenseman since he scored in two straight games, shall we?
He's stepped in perfectly in the defensive pair group, scoring five points in 13 games entering Saturday. In fact, he's shooting the puck more. In Thursday's game against the Utah Mammoth, Hutton fired off four shots in a 4-1 win. That included the game-winning goal, which got Vegas on the doorstep of first place.