The next five games will determine where the Vegas Golden Knights stand in the Pacific Division race. They have the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings (five points behind each) hot on their tails. Home ice advantage is crucial to making a long Stanley Cup playoff run, after all.
But it gets much worse for the Golden Knights. The possibility of losing Tomas Hertl looms after a brutal hit from Emil Lilleberg on Sunday. Losing your best power play merchant (14 goals and nine assists) for a couple of months would be a massive loss.
You'd lose a big presence up front, missing surefire goals on the power play. You can't simply ask Mark Stone to take Hertl's place, either. He's adapted a pass-friendly style in his game. Therefore, it'd be on Pavel Dorofeyev and others to step up.
There's also losing a goal-scoring center in the fifth-best offense in the NHL (3.36 goals per game). That has a domino effect on numerous players, ranging from Jack Eichel (64 assists) to the Captain (43 assists).
Regardless of what happens, the next five games won't be easy. Even with him around, games against playoff teams constitute the bulk of the slate. The Minnesota Wild, Winnipeg Jets, and Oilers all await the Pacific Division leaders. Even the games against the non-playoff teams won't be easy.
Therefore, let's assess the upcoming gauntlet and see what's in store. Where will the easiest games lie for Vegas? Will they thrive or will they fall with an emphatic thud like Boogie2988 falling down a flight of stairs?
Minnesota Wild on Tuesday, March 25
The potential first-round matchup could provide a preview of what life would be like without Tomas Hertl. How does the power play look with one less big body? Who will step up in his absence.
Ironically, the Minnesota Wild are missing a key player themselves: Kirill Kaprizov. The Russian winger had 23 goals before being put out of commission with a lower-body injury. Not only that, but Marco Rossi will also miss time with a lower-body injury. This could be easier to handle based on Minnesota's weakened forward group.
Chicago Blackhawks on Friday, March 28
The last time these two teams played, Jack Eichel became a record-holder. It was also a barnburner that nearly led to a blown game for the Vegas Golden Knights.
This could be another trap game with the team's road woes this season. Vegas sits at 15-13-5 away from T-Mobile Arena, causing concern among Golden Knights fans. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks have a modest home record of 14-17-4. Therefore, the road team must tread lightly.
Nashville Predators on Saturday, March 29
Of course, that Blackhawks game is part of a back-to-back. The Nashville Predators sit on the latter half at Bridgestone Arena. You know what that means, Golden Knights fans. Jonathan Marchessault and his peewee league kid.
This could turn out like the January 14 matchup, where Steven Stamkos (two goals and one assist) had a timeless performance. Ilya Samsonov might also make another appearance in Nashville considering Bruce Cassidy will burn through an Adin Hill performance on the back-to-back.
Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, April 1
No, dear reader. This isn't an April Fool's joke. Instead, this will be the most important game for the Pacific Division race, starting a two-game homestand. The Edmonton Oilers need to catch up to the Golden Knights in any way they can.
Sure, they might be down one Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl now. But they're a desperate team looking to win now. After all, they've gotten points in their last five games and have thrust themselves back into the division race. Watch for this game to be a potential high-scoring affair.
Winnipeg Jets on Thursday, April 3
Here's a fun fact for you, dear reader. The Vegas Golden Knights have won their last nine games against the Winnipeg Jets. In fact, Winnipeg's last regular season win against Vegas came on April 18, 2023 (5-1).
You can expect the best Western Conference team (100 points) to launch an all-out attack to snap that streak. That starts with winger Kyle Connor (37 goals and 49 assists), who's quietly had an incredible season with the Jets.