Reinforcements Are Coming for the Vegas Golden Knights

Logan Thompson did everything he could, keeping the Vegas Golden Knights afloat as the No. 1 goalie. That led to a Third Star earned for his hard work, regaining his confidence in the process. Adin Hill returned and took it from there.

Nicolas Roy did everything he could, earning himself heavy consideration for being on the Golden Knights' top line. The native of Amos, Quebec, tallied 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in 13 games in January, showcasing his evolution as a hockey player. William Karlsson just got activated from LTIR and should return on February 6 against Edmonton.

Jonathan Marchessault did everything he could, leading Vegas out of its fiery depths. The Conn Smythe winner has 16 goals and 10 assists in his last 26 games, making him the hot hand for the Knights. Jack Eichel had successful lower-body surgery a couple of weeks ago and should be back before the season's end.

About a month ago, all seemed lost with the Vegas Golden Knights. Injuries were piling up and the Pacific Division was tightening up. It seemed like it would be time before Vegas would fall out of a playoff spot, a la 2021-2022... or so it seemed.

1. Fortune Favored the Vegas Golden Knights

The aforementioned three players held their ground and kept the Vegas Golden Knights afloat. Whether it was raising the power play or going mano-e-mano with teams like the Boston Bruins, this trio contributed in major ways. As a result, the Golden Knights are still holding second place down in a chaotic Pacific Division.

Yes, you'd rather be first than second. However, that's not always a bad thing, specifically with this veteran group. When you've been battle-tested with players dropping like flies, you know how to handle adversity. That results in going 6-3-1 before the All-Star Break, leaving Vegas firm in the standings.

And guess what? You're getting those key players back soon. Aside from Karlsson returning, Eichel is only expected to miss between four and six weeks. He'll be back before the home stretch gets more difficult. You're getting your franchise player back, which is always good for business.

There's also Shea Theodore waiting in the wings along with Michael Amadio being activated off injured reserve. The Golden Knights are FINALLY getting reinforcements at the right time. Here's why it will matter and here's why it won't.

3. Why It Doesn't Matter

There's one team ahead of the Vegas Golden Knights in the Pacific Division, and that's the Vancouver Canucks. Standing tall with 71 points, the 'Nucks are tied atop the NHL standings. They look to have an iron grip on the Pacific, meaning they'll potentially get home-ice advantage throughout the Western Conference side of the playoffs.

While the Golden Knights are returning key players at the right time, it's important to remember that Vancouver is also playing their best hockey right now. It's no secret they're one of the best offensive teams in the NHL, scoring 186 goals this season (second-most). That also comes with having the biggest point differential at +59, where they've also blown out the competition.

It isn't just Vancouver that can be a problem. The Colorado Avalanche, led by Nathan MacKinnon, is always a tough matchup for the Golden Knights despite the earlier 7-0 blowout in the year. With an array of scorers on each line, the Avs can make life difficult even if Vegas is at full strength. That's especially true if Vegas has to go on the road, where they're 11-10-4 this season. Keep in mind that Colorado is 20-5 at Ball Arena this season, making them a difficult matchup if these two meet up in the playoffs.

Still, having key players return is important for the Vegas Golden Knights. No longer are they relying on half of the Henderson Silver Knights roster. Now, they can play at full strength and make another run at the Stanley Cup. Watch out, NHL!