Keegan Kolesar
Not far from Ivan Barbashev's lack of production is Keegan Kolesar, who has one goal in his last six games. He also missed a penalty shot opportunity against the Carolina Hurricanes, getting walled by goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov.
Kochetkov stops the penalty shot!!@Canes | #RaiseUp pic.twitter.com/7jm83gOYxZ
— Hurricanes On FanDuel Sports Network (@FDSN_Hurricanes) January 18, 2025
That turned out to be a momentum-shifting moment for the Golden Knights, who had a chance to take the game. However, the Hurricanes would storm back and win on Friday, 3-2. Although there were key moments in that game that cost Vegas (*cough* *cough* Noah Hanifin's own goal *cough*), that save by Kochetkov was what shifted the fortunes.
The lower lines have played well before the last six-game stretch. That's in part to Kolesar being an excellent goal-scorer who forechecked well. Getting back to basics and leading the charge will not only help the native of Brandon, Manitoba, but the Golden Knights on the bottom units.