First, this past week has been nothing but Vegas Golden Knights birthdays. First, Pavel Dorofeyev and Brandon Saad celebrated their birthdays, respectively. Now, it's Jack Eichel turning 28 years old on Tuesday. 'Tis the season for VGK birthdays, everyone!
But the last birthday boy hasn't done anything in the current three-game road trip. I mean, he doesn't have any points, leaving fans wondering if he's cooled off.
"Is this Eichel guy coming back down to Earth? Is he legit or not? Will Vegas ever score again?"
Golden Knights fans hope that isn't the case, especially after starting the first seven games with 16 points. Now, he's struggling to generate anything of substance, with only four shots on goal to show in the past two contests. That won't get the job done, specifically when trying to get off to another fast start.
Luckily, Eichel can change all that on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. After all, it is the Frozen Frenzy, an undermarketed celebration of all 32 NHL teams playing on the same day.
Why not do that against one of the league's best teams and make a statement? Without good buddies like Mark Stone and Noah Hanifin, it's the perfect chance for Eichel to regain his footing and set momentum for the future.
But why should Jack Eichel go off for the Vegas Golden Knights against the Carolina Hurricanes?
Well, duh. He's the franchise face. Why else would he need a big game against one of the best NHL franchises right now?
But in all seriousness, his big game could spark the Golden Knights offensively. Only one goal on the entire road trip isn't a promising sign for Vegas. What was once the top-scoring offense in the NHL has fallen to the 9th spot (tied for ninth with the Toronto Maple Leafs at 3.44).
Yes, I know the injuries are piling up in Las Vegas. That's especially true when you don't have your Captain and best friend tagging along with you. However, Eichel's the man of the hour in Las Vegas. It's on him to break through and have himself a birthday game.
Otherwise, the Golden Knights will end up wounded as they head back to T-Mobile Arena. The Colorado Avalanche will await and they're not taking any prisoners. So, how can Eichel get it done?
Go back to the Eichel basics. That means setting up his teammates on the rush and finding the open man. Heck, find something on the power play and get that unit going. It doesn't matter if it's Tomas Hertl or Pavel Dorofeyev. Just go with the best guy for the job and let him cook.
It's as simple as that and it could also lead to a much-needed two points on Tuesday. Eichel's the go-to guy offensively and needs a big game. It's best if he does it against a bona fide team like the Hurricanes, who have taken a goaltending hit in recent weeks (currently, they're 12th in the NHL with a GA/G of 2.75).