3 Takeaways from the Golden Knights' 4-1 win over the Florida Panthers

Now that’s how to open the last homestand before the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in a couple of weeks! After the ripe sting that was Friday night against Dallas, the Vegas Golden Knights got back in the win column with a vibranium-solid 4-1 win over the defending champion Florida Panthers. Here are my three takeaways from tonight, though the first one is as easy to spot as a high note from Cynthia Erivo.

A shining light on the Adin Hill

There’s a reason why he was the first star in the game, according to NHL.com. He was the best player on the ice all night and was the sole reason Vegas didn’t start out in the first five minutes chasing yet another game this month. There was some puck luck sprinkled in that helped him (the shot from Nate Schmidt, for example). But overall, this is the Hill I want to ride in three months from now.

Two long goal droughts ended

True, seeing Jack Eichel extend his points streak to six games was delightful to see, both in the short and long term. But the game’s first two goals came from people who’d been nursing long goalless streaks. First was the aforementioned McNabb with his first goal since December 27 at San Jose. The other was Tanner Pearson with his first since January 2 against Philly.

With McNabb, it was much like seeing a comet in the sky. They’re not gonna come along too often (he’s been around the 2-4 goal a season range since 2018-19, but they’re all the bit lovely to see. As for Pearson, the performance he brought tonight is going to be a godsend in the bottom three (who were also fantastic tonight), especially if William Karlsson ends up missing a ton of time with his lower body injury.

Frayed edges, but solid in the middle

It was visible during the Dallas game Friday, and showed up a lot here tonight. The difference was that the Golden Knights were able to win the rest of that period. In the first and last five minutes of the first, Vegas were outshot by the Panthers 8-2. The other 10 minutes? 4-3, Vegas. In the first and last five of the second, it was 8-5 Florida. The other 10? 4-2, Vegas. The pattern even held in the third (7-5 Florida in the first and last five, 6-5 Vegas in the other 10), though by Eichel’s goal the game was essentially all but over.

Next on the Marquee:

It’s a rematch with the Dallas Stars (hopefully with a better ending) on Tuesday night at 7 P.M. It’s one of those ESPN+ exclusive games, which is a little annoying for those outside of Vegas trying to watch the game who don’t have ESPN+. But it has a nice plus side: if you have the Disney bundle, you can switch after the game to Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (which is also premiering Tuesday night). Either to celebrate a third win in four games, or as a balm that at least the month's almost over- both work! Till then…