Ladies and gentlemen, we're in the middle of an intense gauntlet. The Vegas Golden Knights are facing off against playoff-position teams like the Detroit Red Wings and the Minnesota Wild with mixed results. Okay, the results aren't exactly mixed, leaning more towards being underwhelming.
Bad losses against the Wild and the Pittsburgh Penguins have left fans wondering if this team can even sniff the postseason. It comes in the form of goals allowed successively, along with costly turnovers in the defensive zone. That's not the standard that Golden Knights fans expect, leaving them wanting more.
Sunday's morning skate offered the Golden Knights a "golden" opportunity to reset for a pivotal divisional matchup. The Edmonton Oilers are heading to town and are desperate. They need some juice and want to get back in the win column. Otherwise, they're not getting the Stanley Cup... again.
So, let's look at where the team stands before that mammoth (not from Utah) game against the Oilers. Who's back on the ice for the Golden Knights and who's out? Who needs a huge game to help Vegas maintain pace in the Pacific Division race?
Brett Howden is set to return for the Golden Knights on Sunday
After being out for two months with a lower-body injury, Brett Howden participated in line rushes with the second line. All signs point to him returning to the ice and playing in Sunday's game.
It's a welcome addition for a Golden Knights team looking for some forward depth. Gone are the days when you must rely on Alexander Holtz and Cole Reinhardt to get the job done. Now, you have a quality goal scorer in the middle of the lineup.
Not only that, but Howden adds a clutch factor to the forward group. He's known for making incredible plays with unbelievable maneuvers and puck-handling abilities. Get hyped, Golden Knights fans. Things are starting to look up in Sin City.
Mark Stone remains day-to-day for the Golden Knights
Bruce Cassidy confirmed on Sunday that Mark Stone remained day-to-day. The Captain didn't practice with the team and his status for Tuesday's game against the Dallas Stars remains uncertain.
The Golden Knights could use his services for a brutal March. The Canadian Olympian averages 1.40 points per game, good for sixth in the NHL. He adds more to the offensive structure, especially when he plays alongside Jack Eichel and Ivan Barbashev.
Adin Hill needs a big game against the Edmonton Oilers
Look, I know that Adin Hill has been "cheeks" as the kids would say these days. However, he needs a big game against a slumping Edmonton Oilers team. It's not like he hasn't done this before, either.
He posted a shutout against the Oilers on December 3, 2024. Here, he stopped 28 shots and carried a Golden Knights team that didn't have the offensive juice. While Edmonton still has problems defending its own net, Hill must be strong in Sunday's game. That's especially true with Vegas having trouble with stopping the bleeding after allowing a goal themselves.