The 2024-25 season has been about breakout games for the Vegas Golden Knights. Tomas Hertl was slumping hard, especially on even strength. That is, until he scored two goals and two assists against the Los Angeles Kings on October 22. It was the same thing with Alex Pietrangelo before that game brought out three assists in him. That also kick-started a four-game stretch of nine points, where he became a reliable offensive piece.
Noah Hanifin was searching for such a game on Saturday, for he only had three assists on the season. Lo and behold, he got that breakout game, scoring a buzzer-beating goal in the second period. That goal was needed as the Golden Knights eked out a 4-3 overtime victory over the Utah Hockey Club.
Hanifin added two assists during the game, including the game-winner by Brett Howden.
BRETT HOWDEN! 😮💨
— NHL (@NHL) November 3, 2024
His sixth goal of the season is the @Energizer overtime winner as the @GoldenKnights improve to 8-0-0 at home! pic.twitter.com/WhfWZ9mKIT
Hanifin found Howden near the boards before the forward cut towards the net. He fended off a defender before firing a backhanded shot past John Ingram. Game. Set. Match. Two points for the Golden Knights.
Bounceback games have become the norm for the Golden Knights this season, with Hanifin the latest example. While they've been fortunate to have the top line of Mark Stone, Jack Eichel, and Ivan Barbashev carry them, players snapping out of their respective funks has also helped.
Will this lead to greater things for the Golden Knights? How will he contribute to the offensive attack? Let's dive into Noah Hanifin potentially becoming the Golden Knights with their offense.
How Noah Hanifin continues to break out in the Vegas Golden Knights offense
The Vegas Golden Knights planned to crash the net and constantly attack on Saturday. Bruce Cassidy wanted shots galore and was hoping the offense could pressure the Utah Hockey Club. It eventually worked when the Golden Knights broke out for two goals in the second period. and four in the contest. Vegas had 35 shots on the night, outshooting Utah by 16.
The team would win in overtime thanks to Brett Howden and his ridiculous moves. However, Hanifin's second-period goal was also noteworthy, for he beat the buzzer. It was an example of consistently crashing the net and pouncing on a "golden" opportunity.
If the Boston native can get more opportunities like these, he will set himself up for success. Both Hanifin and Hertl are good at crashing the net, specifically with their bigger bodies. That's why Kelly McCrimmon acquired the duo at the trade deadline last season.
Without the pair, the Golden Knights can't use their size in offensive situations. They would rely more on finesse than overpowering their opponents, which isn't their forte. Therefore, Hanifin must tap into that to achieve more success on the attack.
There's also the passing element
Noah Hanifin was also brought in to add more bite to the power play. He was supposed to act as another Shea Theodore, running the man advantage and coordinating players to certain spots. However, he only has one assist on the power play, a far cry from two goals and three assists during his 19-game stint last season.
What helps the defenseman in this scenario is taking care of the puck better. That way, he can find the open man easier and create better scoring opportunities. Theodore does this by shooting the puck and relying on his teammates to pounce on the rebound. Hanifin can do this or coordinate a player to cut in front, similar to the Howden goal in overtime.
The Vegas Golden Knights could benefit from seeing another player break out of their respective slumps. Hertl and Pietrangelo did it against the Kings, putting them on the fast track to productive seasons. The Boston native can also do this, making him into the threat he's always been.