The Vegas Golden Knights will have their toughest test yet on Friday. The Winnipeg Jets come to town, bringing the most points to T-Mobile Arena (36). The team started their first 16 games with a 15-1-0 record, the fastest to 15 wins in NHL history.
The team is led by none other than Connor Hellebuyck, who's been spectacular again. The netminder has a GAA of 2.11 and a save percentage of .928 in 18 games. The 31-year-old is making another solid case for the Vezina Trophy, leading the Jets to a surprisingly good start.
But it hasn't been Hellebuyck who's been the focal point for Winnipeg. Kyle Connor (13 goals, 28 points) has made the team's attack go, using his elite skating ability to set up transition attacks. The winger also brings an incredible finishing ability to the team, which is why he leads the team.
His production is also why the Jets have the third-best attack in the NHL (3.91 goals per game). Hellebuyck has been the reason why they've allowed the second-fewest goals in the league (2.44 goals allowed per game), turning Winnipeg into a well-oiled machine.
It's no wonder it's the biggest test the Golden Knights will face come Friday. What better way to return from a five-game road trip than against the best team in the NHL? Anyway, returning to face a top team at home means you must have a top-tier strategy, especially if you have William Karlsson or Jack Eichel around. Here's what fans can expect once the Thanksgiving feasts are done and Winnipeg comes to town.
How can the Vegas Golden Knights tackle the Winnipeg Jets?
The offense and defensive side of the Winnipeg Jets have been excellent. Superstars like Kyle Connor and Connor Hellebuyck have led the way, giving them a double helping of Connor's. However, the latter Connor has had an interesting statline against the Vegas Golden Knights.
The two-time Vezina Trophy winner has a GAA of 3.00 and a save percentage of .912 against the Golden Knights. In those 13 games, he's had two shutouts and allowed 37 goals. Those stats will come into play on Friday, specifically if he gets the nod.
If he plays, William Karlsson and company must draw him from the crease. That means tic-tac-toe plays similar to those orchestrated by Eichel will be crucial. That's especially true when the Golden Knights are on the power play, where the Jets are tied for 19th in the penalty kill with... the Golden Knights (77.6%).
Of course, that must also mean the goaltending keeps the Golden Knights in the game. The good news is Adin Hill (3-1-1, .931 save percentage, 1.77 GAA in his last five games) has been excellent. Ilya Samsonov has been wonderful at T-Mobile Arena (3-1-0, .917 save percentage, 2.27 GAA in four games at T-Mobile Arena). Whoever starts on Friday must carry that momentum into the game.
The biggest test yet comes on Friday
Regardless of who starts in net for either team, the Vegas Golden Knights will have their toughest test after Thanksgiving. That's said for every team with the most points in the NHL, who've shocked the league. Therefore, the home team must play to the best of their ability at T-Mobile Arena.
Granted, the Winnipeg Jets have cooled off after their 15-1-0 start. They've gone 3-4-0 since that run, indicating they're going back towards the mean. However, they can't be discounted given the two-time Vezina Trophy winner is playing to his ability again.
When everything sans the penalty kill is clicking, you must play to the level of that competitor. Many people have harped on the Golden Knights for a lack of a signature win this season. They couldn't beat the Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals, or Toronto Maple Leafs.
If they can beat the Jets on Friday, it'll go a long way in quieting those critics. Granted, it's a long 82-game season. However, the Golden Knights can win this game, especially with their intriguing history with Hellebuyck and company.