The Vegas Golden Knights are desperate for anything to go right for them in the upcoming weeks. With the regular season winding down, they're feeling Pacific Division rivals breathing down their necks in the playoff race. Heck, even the Nashville Predators are gaining ground on them in an unprecedented playoff run.
That means the boys must strap in, lock in, and take the bull by the horns. No lollygagging, no stalling, and no falling behind in games. If they continue playing like they're a third-rate hockey team, they'll fall out of the playoff race altogether and be left behind.
There's no telling how embarrassing that would be for the franchise, especially after the Stanley Cup expectations bestowed upon them before the 2025-26 season. I mean, this was supposed to be a group that would shatter the entire league with Mitch Marner in tow! But with 31 other teams watching, they're getting ready to laugh at the Golden Knights!
So, let's take this one game at a time, shall we? Let's look at Saturday's game against the Washington Capitals and see what's happening on the Golden Knights' side. Who looks ready to roll soon? Who's ironing out their game to ensure they're ready to rock?
Carter Hart gets back into form
Carter Hart moved one step closer to returning to the team, practicing with the Golden Knights on Saturday. He stepped on the ice for the team's optional skate, getting his reps in with the starters.
Hart looked promising in his time practicing with Vegas. His glove side looked good and he stayed with the puck many times. Sure, there might've been some overly aggressive moments where he bit on a play, leading to a goal. However, the netminder stayed true to form and showed little lag in his lower-body movements.
Tomas Hertl looks determined to have a big game
On the other side lies Tomas Hertl. He's been hunting for some points this month, only scoring a goal and two assists in March. On the ice, he still showed those frustrations as he missed out on some key goals.
However, he's due to break out for a big game as he starts to return to form. Perhaps that'll come with a big power play goal or two in the bumper? Whatever the case, watch for the Czech Olympian to impact Saturday's game against the Washington Capitals.
Braeden Bowman sticks around to work on the fundamentals
This season has seen an uprising of sorts from Braeden Bowman. The undrafted rookie has eight goals and 18 assists, signaling that he'll have a future roster spot locked down with the Golden Knights.
While he's taking more of a press box role in the past week, he's gotten a hold of the fundamentals that got him to the dance in the first place. That's promising news for a player that is looking to stay long-term. As long as he commits to growing and adapting his game, there's no telling how high he'll go as a player.