Early Standout Performances: Who's making a case for the 4 Nations Face-Off?
The Vegas Golden Knights have no shortage of potential candidates for the 4 Nations Face-Off. Which three players stand out the most?
Imagine this, dear reader. You're watching Jack Eichel in the 4 Nations Face-Off as he represents the Vegas Golden Knights. You're heading to the couch and realize there's only one beer left. No matter, there's a hockey tournament to watch. You'll get some later.
You tune in and realize Eichel's not the only Golden Knights star on the team. In fact, three other players from Vegas are in the tournament. You're overjoyed to see the Golden Knights get the representation they deserve. Finally, people will take Las Vegas seriously as a hockey city!
But what about those three players? Could it be the Captain, Mark Stone? Maybe fans are seeing Alex Pietrangelo make an appearance? What about William Karlsson? When you're first in the Pacific Division, you can send as many All-Star-esque players as you can.
That's the luxury of being a winning franchise, after all. When you're scoring 4.55 goals a game before Saturday's game, you're bound to send more than one player to a tournament. That's especially true if you can win at home. The Golden Knights have won seven straight at T-Mobile Arena to start the season entering Saturday.
But who are these three mystery players? Who's making a case to represent the Vegas Golden Knights at the 4 Nations Face-Off? Fans have countless names to pick from, especially with the team starting fast. However, three players stand out from the rest. Here are three superstars who are pushing for a spot in the inaugural tournament.
Mark Stone
When you're leading the Vegas Golden Knights in points (and are third altogether) with 19 entering Saturday, you deserve consideration for the 4 Nations Face-Off. Mark Stone has shown himself worthy of the February competition, finding a newfound purpose on the top line.
That purpose also extends to the power play, where he scored two goals and six assists. It's no secret that the unit was the fourth-best in the NHL before Saturday's game. It's also easy to see why the forward was part of the "Three Stars" honor last week.
Part of it is the Jack Eichel effect, where the Winnipeg native is finding his footing. The duo has created beautiful sequences amongst each other, setting one another up for scoring chances. It doesn't matter if it's the power play or even strength. Both superstars have been excellent for the Golden Knights.
Last season, Jonathan Marchessault broke out for the Golden Knights. He scored 42 goals (a career-high) in 2023-24, giving his former team more scoring on the wing. This season, it's the Captain finding more creative ways to make scoring opportunities. He's feeding Ivan Barbashev incredible passes for open looks, keeping the top line tight.
Shea Theodore
Another power play asset who deserves consideration for the February competition is Shea Theodore. The re-signed defenseman has five assists on the man advantage. People look at Jack Eichel and Mark Stone and point at them as the main contributors to the attack. However, Theodore should be recognized for his effort so far.
The funny thing is he's been on different pairings to start the season. Whether it's Alex Pietrangelo or fellow "Misfit" Brayden McNabb, Theodore has adapted to whatever changes have happened. That's part of why he earned that contract extension, for his flexibility makes him one of a kind.
It's tough being asked to adapt to ever-changing circumstances, regardless of your job. Whether you're asked to work with someone different or take on more tasks, it can hinder and stress you out. However, the "Misfit" defenseman has handled the workload fine and played well with his fellow blue-liners.
The native of Langley, British Columbia, would be an excellent fit for the Canadian team. He might not be the perfect defender on the blue line. However, he sets up plays perfectly and knows how to find the proper shot. That should give him some consideration for a starting spot when February comes.
Alex Pietrangelo
Speaking of Canadian defenseman, Alex Pietrangelo should also garner consideration. While Pietrangelo doesn't have the power play points that Mark Stone or Shea Theodore do, he did have a solid four-game stretch before Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Kings.
Here, he had nine points (one goal, eight assists) and fired 10 shots. That has led to 11 assists on the season before the weekend matinee, good enough to be tied for sixth in the NHL. Surely, that's a sign of a declining player, right?
One can argue that the two-time Stanley Cup champion has been the best free agent signing ever for the Golden Knights. He was the elite defenseman Vegas desperately needed, adding multiple dimensions to the team's game. That's especially true right now, where he added 18 blocked shots and nine hits before the game against Utah. It might even last beyond this year, helping the Golden Knights win another Stanley Cup.
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