I have a question for you, dear reader. What do the Vegas Golden Knights and the Los Angeles Kings have in common (aside from playing in the Pacific Division)? No, it isn't just big trade acquisitions. They have a lot of overtime/shootout losses, with both teams having 14 each.
Okay, now that we've gotten that bit of trivia out of the way, let's look at Wednesday's matchup between both teams. With the Olympics concluded and the NHL getting ready to get back into full swing, the journey to the Stanley Cup resumes. That means hating your neighbors, whether they're self-absorbed lunatics or they're from California.
The Golden Knights will start their post-Olympics journey in Los Angeles, home to the Lakers, the Dodgers, and snobby celebrities who sniff their own farts. Still, not even those celebrities could propel the Kings to first place in the Pacific Division, even with Shohei Ohtani. But Wednesday's a chance to pounce on the division leaders, especially without Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin.
Surely, that looks like a juicy opportunity for the home team, right? Well, there's a reason why they play the game. You can't guarantee that your team will win against a weakened opponent. Just ask the Toronto Maple Leafs, who lost to an emergency backup goaltender. Playing in Los Angeles also offers a disappointing Olympian to step up massively, where he can rebound in a "Fun Must Be Always" flair.
Tomas Hertl can rebound in a big way against the Los Angeles Kings
It's safe to say that Tomas Hertl didn't have a good Olympics. He had one assist during his time in Milan, putting out a performance that was as awful as month-old penne rigate. You can imagine that he needs a rebound performance.
The good thing is that Hertl has had a stellar 2025-26 campaign with the Golden Knights. He's scored 22 goals and 27 assists this season, making him one of the most important players in Las Vegas. That includes 11 goals and 10 assists on the power play, adding juice for the league's fifth-best power play (25.5%). Plus, the Kings are 27th in the NHL in penalty killing (76.6%), making life easier for the Prague native.
On that note, Wednesday's game provides the ultimate opportunity for the Czech Republic star to shine. Yes, he won't have Jack Eichel around and will likely be the unit's focal point. However, that doesn't mean that he won't be in line to score goals.
Why Hertl matters for the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday
Even with the looming possibility of not having a fully functional power play, the Golden Knights still have reliable power play stars. Aside from Hertl, Pavel Dorofeyev has been significant, scoring 14 power play goals this season.
If the Golden Knights wanted to, they can also deploy Rasmus Andersson. The Swedish Olympian has four goals and six assists on the power play this season... with the Calgary Flames. Vegas can also put Bowman in if they wish, acting as a Mark Stone replacement. Wouldn't that be something?
That would help Hertl respond after a poor showing. A wide array of options isn't a bad thing, especially when you're missing a player or two. That could help him pull off a massive game for Vegas.
Fans will be watching the Czech Republic Olympian intently on Wednesday. He's got a massive burden on his shoulders in Los Angeles, carrying the scoring for Vegas. If he can break out (especially on the power play), that'll go a long way in getting the Golden Knights (and himself) off on the right foot.