The Vegas Golden Knights finished a tough three-game road trip out on the East Coast with a passable record. They finished 1-1-1, getting a big win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday. What looked like a typical disaster for Vegas became an adequate trip for the boys.
However, they're not out of the spooky woods yet. As Kobe Bryant once said...
Someone should've shown that to the Mariners when they had a 2-0 ALCS lead. Oh well...
Anyways, they start a six-game homestand against the Colorado Avalanche on Halloween. That means facing off against the newly-extended Martin Necas and Nathan MacKinnon, two players who are some of the league's best. But if you thought that the rough stretch was done there, think again.
The homestand also includes games against the red-hot Detroit Red Wings, the surging Tampa Bay Lightning and the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers. That could be an ugly stretch, especially with key players like Adin Hill and Mark Stone out.
So, what's a Golden Knights team to do to get off on the right foot? How can Vegas defeat the Colorado Avalanche and set the tone for a solid six-game homestand? Heck, what are the biggest storylines heading into the Halloween clash?
What to watch for between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Colorado Avalanche
The obvious sticking point between both teams will be MacKinnon versus Jack Eichel. Eichel (19) and MacKinnon (17) are in the top-two in points respectively, making them one of the league's best players. The focus will be on the two megastars throughout the Nevada Day festivities.
But it's also about which team has the better overall depth. Like the Golden Knights, Colorado has numerous scoring options to lean on. That includes prominent names like Cale Makar (three goals and 12 assists), Necas (seven goals and six assists), and Artturi Lehkonen (four goals and seven assists). It's on the Golden Knights' lower lines to carry the load and keep them in the game.
Also, how will the defensive structure hold up facing said weapons? Colorado eviscerated the New Jersey Devils with a consistent swarm, led by former Golden Knights winger Victor Olofsson and his hat trick. Could Vegas be in trouble if the Avalanche gets the early jump?
Who I expect to have a big game for the Golden Knights
Reilly Smith has had a relatively quiet season for Vegas. He only has one goal and one assist in 10 games, which is part of an underwhelming bottom-six. However, he's due for a breakout game.
Smith might not have the most eye-opening career stats against the Avalanche (six goals and 12 assists in 35 career games). However, the Original Misfit has caused Colorado trouble in the last five contests. He has two goals and four assists in that span, making him a cold pain in the rear.
That trend should carry over to the Nevada Day game, even with Colorado being tough to score on (tied for fifth in the NHL with 2.55 goals per game allowed). That's why you have seasoned veterans like Smith to tackle the tougher teams. He simply knows how to handle them.