The penalty kill could use some work
It's bizarre living in a world where the Vegas Golden Knights power play is miles ahead of the penalty kill. Yet, it's happening to start the 2024-25 season. While the man advantage has been anchored by superstars such as Tomas Hertl, the penalty kill has struggled to start the season.
Currently, the group sits 20th in the NHL with a penalty kill percentage of 77.3%. They allowed two power play goals in five attempts in the first two games, starting slow. In turn, it's made life harder for goaltenders like Adin Hill, who prefer a more comfortable five-on-five situation.
But there's a good reason for the unit's early struggles. William Karlsson was absent for the first eight games with an undisclosed injury. Now, they have their "Original Misfit" back, who already has a shorthanded goal to start his 2024-25 campaign. Karlsson's presence could help turn the unit around, making Vegas's special teams one of the better groups in the NHL.
If that's the case, that could go a long way in making them Stanley Cup contenders again. The team would handle any situation without a sweat, showing their muscle and goal-scoring capability. That would be a nightmare for opposing teams, for they won't know how to handle multi-faceted players such as Karlsson skating up and down the ice.