Monday's game against the Los Angeles Kings was as good as the upcoming Snow White film. It felt like a soulless live-action remake from Disney, lacking in passion and potency. This was what the Vegas Golden Knights were as the Kings pulled away with four goals in the third period, 5-2.
Pesky Trevor Moore scored two goals for the home team while Joel Edmundson, Kevin Fiala, and Warren Foegele also scored. It was business as usual in Hollywood as Los Angeles got another home win at Crypto.com Arena. Their record at the place formerly known as the Staples Center? 19-3-2.
But do you know who didn't score in Monday's game? Jack Eichel. The United States representative hasn't even had a single point since the 4 Nations Face-Off. Going from four assists throughout the tournament to having nothing in two games is quite a curve. However, that's what the center is currently going through.
But there is a plus side to this. For one, Eichel stays at 69 points (nice). He has 19 goals and 50 assists this season, with three goals and 20 assists coming on the power play. He's also tied for the most single-season assists with 50. He's got that going for him.
Some fans are sounding the alarm on their superstar not having anything since the break. Of course, it's warranted given that he's your superstar. However, there are some reasons why Las Vegas shouldn't lose sleep over the 28-year-old not having any points since returning from the break.
Why you shouldn't lose sleep over Jack Eichel's micro-struggles
First, it's only been two games since the 4 Nations Face-Off ended. That's a sample size as small as the chances of the Seattle Kraken making the Stanley Cup playoffs. Also, consider that the Vegas Golden Knights faced off against two good goaltenders after the break. Kevin Lankinen and Darcy Kuemper are no slouches, for they've kept their respective teams in almost every game they played this season.
That also goes back to players like Eichel and Mark Stone continually playing hockey after the tournament ended. Bruce Cassidy has talked about giving the participants a break at some point before the playoffs. That includes the center, who almost carried the United States to victory. Expect him to sit out one or two games to get his sea legs back.
Plus, he's Jack Eichel. He's well-known for being one of the most balanced superstars in the NHL today. He doesn't just have an incredible scoring acumen, you know. He also has a knack for playing a 200-ft. game. That helps in creating scoring opportunities in transition, where he and Ivan Barbashev fly in for amazing goals.
Fans shouldn't lose too much sleep over their star center's play in recent games. It's only been two games since the 4 Nations break ended and everyone is getting back into the swing of things. Sure, there's a major absence on the ice in Shea Theodore. But the United States representative knows how to make the most of any given situation. Therefore, fans should relax and take it one day at a time.