Some things weren't meant to last. The Vegas Golden Knights lost their top spot in the latest Sports Illustrated rankings to... The Washington Capitals.
It looks like Logan Thompson and company have the last laugh... for now. After all, the netminder has been a major part of the Capitals' success. He has a GAA of 2.23 (fifth in the NHL) and a save percentage of .921 (fourth in the NHL). Of course, that guy named Alex Ovechkin (20 goals) is playing like an ageless wonder. But one can't deny that Thompson's presence has helped the Capitals reach the top spot.
It doesn't help that the Golden Knights have lost three of their last four games. A slew of turnovers and uninspiring even-strength play has hampered the team, cooling off after winning 17 of the previous 21 games. Still, Golden Knights fans can look at the bright side of things, such as the team leading the Pacific Division with 61 points.
But what moves can the Golden Knights make to regain that top spot? Does it go beyond simply taking care of the puck (Vegas has the fifth-most giveaways per game with 16.07) and improving during even-strength play? More layers to the miniature rut can address this urgent issue than simply being better offensively. Let's tackle the other problems the Golden Knights are facing and get them back atop the Sports Illustrated rankings.
Fixing the Vegas Golden Knights some more
Pavel Dorofeyev (team-high 19 goals) has been excellent in the past two games for the Vegas Golden Knights. He's scored five goals and one assist in that span, making him the de facto hot hand. In fact, he almost won the game by himself on Tuesday against the Nashville Predators. However, he can't be the team's only means of scoring.
Players like William Karlsson (one assist in January), Ivan Barbashev (no points since his return), and Victor Olofsson (one goal and two assists in January) must find their bearings. They can get involved in rushes or the power play and make their mark there. However, they must find a solution soon.
Bruce Cassidy hasn't shied away from shaking up his lineup whenever Vegas is in a funk. He could take Dorofeyev and deploy him on the top line with Eichel and Stone. The 24-year-old has similar offensive capabilities to Barbashev, flowing well in transition and carrying a hard shot. He can fill the void and take over transitional opportunities if Cassidy wants to make a drastic shake-up.
The Golden Knights must be careful, though
The Edmonton Oilers are hot on the Golden Knights's tail in the Pacific Division with 59 points. Sure, that divisional lead looks good for now. However, the Oilers have won seven of their last 10 games and are picking up their play at the right time. If the Golden Knights aren't careful, it'll be the Oilers atop the Sports Illustrated rankings instead of Vegas. That's something fans don't want to see.
Of course, other teams in the Western Conference race such as the Minnesota Wild (58 points), Dallas Stars (57 points), and Colorado Avalanche (56 points) are hot on their tails. The Golden Knights could lose their footing in the Western Conference race quickly if they fall into a funk. Of course, that would also mean falling in the publication's rankings, leaving them as far down as the 10th spot.
The good news is there's a brief three-game reprieve after the Carolina Hurricanes game on Friday. The Golden Knights will wrap up the three-game road trip on Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks, who've lost eight of their last 10 games. They'll also face the St. Louis Blues in their next two games, including a home game on Monday. That should buy some time to figure out some quick fixes before facing the Stars twice and the Florida Panthers for their next three games.