Jack Eichel is a Massachusetts guy (as is his best friend, Noah Hanifin). The Team USA representative for the 4 Nations Face-Off hails from North Chelmsford, Massachusetts. He also spent his time with the Boston Jr. Bruins (both at the EmJHL and EJHL level) and the Boston University Terriers (where he won the Hobey Baker award).
His amateur career has been prolific, where he scored 54 goals and 68 assists in two seasons with the Jr. Bruins. His NCAA career, albeit short, was no different. The four-time All-Star scored 26 goals and 45 assists in 2014-15 with the Terriers. That was before he was drafted second overall by the Buffalo Sabres.
Yeah, man. I can't imagine how he felt after being drafted by a franchise that hasn't made the Stanley Cup playoffs since the Detroit Red Wings were still in the Western Conference. Anyway, he has the "golden" opportunity to do something against his local team, the Boston Bruins: Beat them.
The Vegas Golden Knights star has actually played respectable hockey against that local team. He has seven goals and nine assists in 18 games against the Bruins. Sure, he might have a plus/minus rating of -7. But let's blame the Sabres for that since they're as fun as a colonoscopy.
But he can't be the only player that beats the Bruins on Saturday afternoon. No, it must also be a blue line finding its stride and limiting shots. It's also other players not named Eichel (or Hertl) that are scoring goals. In fact, one particular statistic must be the focus of Bruce Cassidy's (who also has a stake in this game considering he's the Bruins' former coach) gameplan.
The Vegas Golden Knights must draw penalties against the Boston Bruins
The Golden Knights faced the literal embodiment of evil on Thursday in the New Jersey Devils. They behaved themselves throughout most of the game and drew four penalties (including a double-minor). While they didn't score on five power play opportunities, they're still the fourth-best unit in the NHL (27.3% heading into Friday).
That leaves a "golden" opportunity for the Golden Knights to feast on the Boston Bruins, who've also been bad. The Bruins are the most penalized team in the NHL with 602 team penalty minutes heading into Friday. Combine that with a penalty kill tied for 22nd-best in the league (76%) and you have a potential buffet for the Golden Knights to dine on. Better get your bibs ready, Vegas!
Considering Vegas has had problems with scoring on even-strength in recent weeks, this makes Saturday's contest winnable. The Golden Knights are also the least-penalized team in the NHL (296 penalty minutes), playing disciplined hockey and drawing penalties. That's impressive for a team that isn't afraid to get down and dirty to win puck battles.
Therefore, the strategy for Jack Eichel and crew is simple: Draw penalties. Get Brad Marchand to commit a slash and send him to the penalty box for making bad food (get it? Ratatouille). Mind you, he has 60 penalty minutes this season, which would lead the Vegas Golden Knights. Maybe get Charlie McAvoy (46 penalty minutes) in a position where he's called for interference. Whatever the case, just draw penalties, baby.
If the Golden Knights can get the same result they did on Thursday against New Jersey penalty-wise, they'll get their second win in a row. Yes, they didn't score a power play goal in that game. However, the Devils spent most of that game in the defensive zone, simply making exits to survive. Even if it's not in a goal-scoring effort, Vegas can merely wear down Boston and set themselves up for success through offensive zone time. Now that would be some nice home cooking for Eichel heading into the 4 Nations Face-Off break.