If you wanted further proof that the Vegas Golden Knights desperately need Jack Eichel back in the lineup, look no further than Wednesday's game against the Nashville Predators. The Golden Knights jumped out to a 2-0 lead, thanks to goals from Mark Stone and Ben Hutton. However, everything unraveled as the pesky Predators scored four straight.
The result? A 4-2 loss, marking a sixth loss in seven games for the Golden Knights. The defensive collapse saw Vegas surrender 15 goals in its last three games. Man, you could really use superstars like Eichel and William Karlsson in this situation, eh?
While the superstar center is nearing his return, an abysmal homestand with only three points isn't exactly something to smile about. Sure, you have your legion of injuries that ravaged the team, with McNabb possibly being added to the growing bunch. But Vegas still has plenty of talent to its name.
With that, here's a breakdown of the awful game that went down on New Year's Eve. Sure, you have some positives from the game. But the Golden Knights have some things that were awful, leading them to look forward to *checks note* January.
Let's talk about Ben Hutton having the best offensive year for a second
Ben Hutton got a deflection from Tomas Hertl in the first period to make the game, 2-0. Suddenly, Hutton has six goals, marking a career-high for the journeyman defenseman. The funny thing is that he's not playing like a journeyman defenseman in December.
He's scored four goals in December, which is higher than all but four seasons for Hutton. The defenseman's hot streak is raising some interesting questions about whether he should stay in the lineup.
Personally, I believe that he should stick around for the Golden Knights. Aside from the offensive hot streak, Hutton also plays excellent stay-at-home defense. He sticks to opposing attackers and forechecks well, making him a pain in the arse to deal with. Why not ride the hot hand throughout the season and keep Hutton around if he keeps up his current pace?
The Golden Knights watch another lead disappear on Wednesday
Take your pick among the goals that Nashville scored on Wednesday. It could be Steven Stamkos getting his 600th goal. It could be a weird sequence that gave Nashville the lead in the first period. Whatever the case, the Golden Knights couldn't capitalize on a fast start against the Predators.
Sure, you don't have Jack Eichel, Shea Theodore, or William Karlsson playing for you. That explains the defensive breakdowns that Golden Knights fans saw against the Colorado Avalanche. However, you're supposed to be the better team in that situation, regardless of whether the Predators are getting more fornication for Barry Trotz or not.
Keegan Kolesar gets a 10-minute penalty for getting involved with the Predators bench
After Michael Bunting violently collided with Brayden McNabb, Keegan Kolesar took offense to that and started chirping at the Predators' bench and went after Bunting. Former Golden Knight Nicolas Hague gets involved and fans become outraged.
The result? A 10-minute penalty and a four-minute penalty kill. After that, Bunting gets a goal with Nick Blankenburg and Erik Haula assisting. Make what you will of the call. But that sequence changed the course of the game.
Now, you're looking at a 4-2 deficit heading into the third period. You don't have Eichel, Theodore, and Karlsson already. But losing McNabb and Kolesar on top of that? That's no bueno.