The Vegas Golden Knights start a two-game road trip on Wednesday against the Anaheim Ducks. They haven't been the most successful team on the road this season, compiling a record of 1-3-2. The Golden Knights will also try to win at a place that hasn't been too kind to them in recent memory: Honda Center.
The Golden Knights are 1-3-1 in their last five games at the venue as they've been outscored, 16-22. Add the absence of Mark Stone in the past couple of games and this appears to be a recipe for disaster. But is that the case for Wednesday night?
Will the Golden Knights enter a dark stretch after starting the season so well? There is hope to believe they can win against the Ducks. For one, you have Jack Eichel. Eichel is always good for a point or two, especially on the road.
Let's have a little prediction for Wednesday's matchup between the division rivals. Who will stand out for Vegas? Will the Golden Knights come away with two crucial points as they progress through the 2024-25 season? Let's see whether the Honda Center is the happiest place on Earth or a complete nightmare.
Breaking down the Vegas Golden Knights against the Anaheim Ducks
The one thing that stands out about Wednesday's matchup against the Anaheim Ducks is Mark Stone. The Vegas Golden Knights have missed the Captain's production, losing their last two games. The two-way forward provides many keys to winning the game, from being a big body on the power play to generating top-line offense. Will Stone make an unexpected return? How will the Golden Knights win without him?
There are also the Ducks themselves. Offensively, they're still figuring it out, with Troy Terry (five goals, six assists) leading the offensive charge. Names like Frank Vatrano (one goal, four assists) and Trevor Zegras (one goal, two assists) have stalled, leaving Anaheim without many answers.
That could help Brayden McNabb and the Golden Knights defensively, giving them more opportunities to limit shots. In the last contest between the two teams, Ilya Samsonov enjoyed generous looks, stopping 22 of 23 shots along the way. Whoever starts in net for the Golden Knights on Wednesday should expect those same opportunities.
Finally, will the Golden Knights cut back on the turnovers? The last contest saw the Golden Knights struggle to maintain the puck, where they gave some juicy opportunities to the Ducks. That must change to earn two points on Wednesday.
How will the Golden Knights do?
The road hasn't been kind to the Vegas Golden Knights this season. They've struggled to establish a style, where their play has been less than desirable. It's why they've only earned four points away from T-Mobile Arena to start the season.
Even with Mark Stone, the team hasn't done much to make a name for themselves. The transition defense has allowed some terrific opportunities for their opponents. In turn, it's caused chaos for the goaltending, leaving them vulnerable.
The good news is Anaheim isn't the strongest offensive team around. They've struggled to generate any offense, where bad shot selection and a weak power play (tied for 29th at 12.5%) have reigned supreme. Will that change on Wednesday?
Let's say Stone is out for Wednesday's game. That's bad news for a Golden Knights team looking to right the ship on the road. Offensively, they lose their bite and will commit more turnovers.
However, a solid defensive performance will be had and the game will head to overtime. The Golden Knights will emerge with two points, winning by a score of 2-1. This is a game Vegas should win. But Honda Center hasn't been the kindest venue for the club in the past five contests. Therefore, it could swing the other way for the Golden Knights.