The Vegas Golden Knights As... Players in the Super Bowl

Ladies and gentlemen, your Super Bowl matchup is set. The Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers will duke it out in Las Vegas, the home of the Vegas Golden Knights, for the Lombardi trophy. We're getting Patrick Mahomes vs. Brock Purdy for all the marbles.

But let's have some fun with this matchup for a second. We're going to play some word association with the Vegas Golden Knights. Building off our playoff comparison for the Pacific Division, let's look at which Super Bowl players are similar to the Knights. Set hut!

1. Jack Eichel

For Jack Eichel, the comparison here is fairly obvious. He's the face of the franchise, offensively skilled in every way, and is arguably the most important asset on the Vegas Golden Knights. He's the MVP for Vegas the same way this quarterback is routinely the MVP of the NFL.

In one of my previous articles, I compared the Golden Knights to the Kansas City Chiefs. Both teams revolve around a focal point on their teams, where they are the running engine. Therefore, you can't go wrong with comparing Eichel to Patrick Mahomes. Both are clutch in the playoffs and bring out the best in their respective teams. The one difference is Eichel doesn't sound like Kermit the Frog like Mahomes.

3. Ivan Barbashev

Ivan Barbashev is a big, physical body. He's not afraid to lay out opponents while being a good offensive piece. The Russian's play would translate extremely well in the Super Bowl, making for a tough out.

Barbashev plays similarly to Travis Kelce, who's a physical tight end for the Chiefs. The Hall of Fame-bound tight end can be tough to tackle in space, making him an offensive threat. He also serves as a good complimentary piece to Patrick Mahomes, similar to how Barbashev does for Jack Eichel. Now I don't know if Barbashev could snag someone like Taylor Swift. But I know he has plenty of game to his name on the ice.

4. Nicolas Roy

It's no secret that Nic Roy has been on fire in recent memory. He's scored two goals and six assists in his past four games, showcasing his value on the Golden Knights offense. He's also a bigger body on the team, making him even more valuable.

Trent Williams has some stark similarities to Roy. Consistently ranked as the best tackle in the game, the Oklahoma product rarely lets sacks get by him. Kyle Shanahan sees terrific value in Williams, making him a vital asset for San Francisco's Super Bowl aspirations.

5. Adin Hill

You won't find a more reliable goaltender than Adin Hill. The Alberta native leads the NHL in GA/G (1.94) and save percentage (.936). For the Vegas Golden Knights, having a mountain to stop points from being added to the board is a vital part of their success.

For the Kansas City Chiefs, Chris Jones has a parallel role up front. His mission is to ensure the quarterback doesn't get the ball out. So far, Jones has had tremendous success with 10.5 sacks this season. You can count on both to stop points from going on the board.

6. Alex Pietrangelo

So let's move to a defenseman for the Vegas Golden Knights: Alex Pietrangelo. The two-time Stanley Cup winner is one of the best defenders in the game, having both size and mobility. There's no denying Pietrangelo has made the Golden Knights better.

The same can be said for Nick Bosa, who's also big and fast. Like Jones, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year has 10.5 sacks this season, making him a tough matchup. Ditto for Pietrangelo, only he's getting goal-a-roonies instead of "sack-a-roonies."

7. Mark Stone

Mark Stone is a great center that can used in many ways. He can score goals, whether it's even strength, on the power play, or even short-handed. The Captain also makes his teammates better, which is why he leads the team in assists (34) and overall points (49).

Isiah Pacheco also shares the same versatility that Stone has. You can use him in the backfield or the open or up the middle, giving Mahomes another option. Stone gives Eichel another option like Pacheco does for Mahomes, whether it's 5-on-5 or with the man advantage.

8. Jonathan Marchessault

For all the emphasis on the forecheck, the Golden Knights need an offensive merchant. Jonathan Marchessault is that guy, leading the Knights in goals (25). He's also good on the man advantage, scoring six power play goals. The reigning Conn Smythe winner sees the ice well and knows how to finish.

For the 49ers, Brock Purdy has been that guy. The NFL leader in QBR (72.7) has led the NFC Champions to two straight comeback victories. Purdy knows how to finish and has extended drives on his own. Like Marchessault, "Mr. Irrelevant" sees the field well, doing whatever it takes to win.

9. Brayden McNabb

One of the more undervalued defensemen for the Vegas Golden Knights, Brayden McNabb has proven to be a reliable player. He's tied for third in the NHL in blocked shots with 137, putting his body on the line every game.

When the Kansas City Chiefs need someone to put their body on the line, Justin Reid is the guy. The team leader in tackles (95), the safety has also forced a fumble, deflected seven passes, and has three sacks. Reid and McNabb can attest that making necessary sacrifices can lead to greater things.

10. Paul Cotter

It's no secret that Paul Cotter is a physical dude. The native of Canton, Michigan, is fifth in the NHL in hits with 136. He's also an offensive unit, scoring 13 goals last season. In essence, Cotter is the X-Factor for the Golden Knights.

An X-Factor that you'll see in the Super Bowl is Deebo Samuel. Like Cotter, Samuel loves to get physical, knocking receivers around for plenty of yards after the catch. The South Carolina grad also has versatility on offense, making him a tough matchup like Paul Cotter.