The Vegas Golden Knights can thank their lucky stars that their penalty kill has been good up to Game 4 of the second round. If that weren't the case, they'd already be golfing because the Golden Knights have taken 40 penalties this postseason. In fact, penalties were the deciding factor in Vegas losing on Sunday.
Four costly penalties, including Dylan Coghlan's interference call in the first period and Cole Smith's slashing call in the second, cracked a powerful unit into submission. Suddenly, the Golden Knights looked human on the penalty kill and Carter Hart looked vulnerable in net.
That can't happen in net for the Golden Knights, especially against a Ducks team that scored on 50% of their power plays against the Edmonton Oilers. If you give Anaheim an inch, they'll take a mile with players like Leo Carlsson (I know you heard his name a gazillion times, but still) and Chris Kreider.
So, who've been the biggest culprits of this particular issue? Well, three players have topped the charts and have put the Golden Knights' backs up against that proverbial wall. Here's who stands out for Vegas in the "sin bin" department during the Stanley Cup playoffs.
3.) Jack Eichel
Yes, this might come as a surprise to numerous Golden Knights fans everywhere. After all, the franchise face has 13 points this postseason and sits near the top of the leaderboard. However, he's also racking up the penalty minutes.
He has 10 penalty minutes this postseason, including a high-sticking double-minor in Game 2 against the Anaheim Ducks. That was part of a four-penalty blitz that wore Vegas down, leading to a 3-1 loss. Ironically, Eichel carries some responsibility in playing more responsible hockey. That's especially true since he's part of that penalty kill unit.
2.) Rasmus Andersson
As if his Vegas residency couldn't get any rockier, the Golden Knights defenseman also has 12 penalty minutes this postseason. That certainly goes well with the one assist he has in 10 games, which raises concerns about his overall value to Vegas.
The Swedish Olympian has taken penalties in six of 10 games, making him more than likely to visit the "sin bin." If he's putting up more penalty minutes than points, that won't help the blue line's offensive production much during the postseason.
1.) Cole Smith
Smith had a double-minor in Game 5 against the Utah Mammoth, which put the Golden Knights in a bind. Luckily, that was no harm, no foul as Vegas went on to win that game. Still, penalties have been a major problem for the fourth-line winger.
He has 14 penalty minutes this postseason, which leads the Golden Knights. While he's done decent work to start the season, the wheels are falling off with countless high-sticking and hooking penalties. If that doesn't change, he'll be on the hook for Vegas being eliminated early.
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