The Golden Knights are getting healthy at the right time

Injuries haven't been too kind to the Vegas Golden Knights in recent years. Players like Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, and Adin Hill have been personally victimized by the bug, missing significant time with lower-body and upper-body injuries. It's like the school bully stuffing a kid in the locker and eating their lunch.

But December has been especially brutal for the Golden Knights. Last season, Hill suffered a lower-body injury on December 2, 2023. The Calgary native returns for a game against the Ottawa Senators on December 17, only to leave with an undisclosed injury. It's like the goaltender couldn't catch a break.

In turn, it's created depth problems for the team. After the injury wave, fans are joking about the "Henderson Golden Knights" or "Vegas Silver Knights" (take your pick). Names like Mason Morelli and Sheldon Rempal have been called up, leaving fans wondering who they are.

However, the team received some good news in recent weeks. First, Victor Olofsson came back from a lower-body injury sustained on October 15 against the Washington Capitals. Then, Mark Stone returned from a lower-body injury on November 6 against the Edmonton Oilers. Now?

Zach Whitecloud is practicing in a normal jersey. Finally, the team is healing up when the Golden Knights needed it most. With the team facing stiff competition in the upcoming week, reinforcements are coming.

The upcoming road trip won't be easy

Thursday's game will be against the Winnipeg Jets. Although the Jets have cooled off from their 15-1-0 start, they have plenty of superstars. First is the former Vezina Trophy winner, Connor Hellebuyck. The goaltender has a GAA of 2.09, a save percentage of .927, and three shutouts in 23 games this season. Then there's Kyle Connor (16 goals, 36 points) anchoring the attack.

Then comes the old rival, the Edmonton Oilers, on Saturday. You already know the names, but the Golden Knights will need players like Mark Stone and Zach Whitecloud on the team. The Oilers have won six of their last seven entering Wednesday. It's led to them sitting in third place in the Pacific Division with 34 points.

Sure, the Golden Knights have won both matchups with the Oilers so far. However, rivalry games always bring out the best of both teams. December 3rd's game against the Golden Knights saw Connor McDavid and company crank up the pressure late. If it weren't for Adin Hill stopping 28 shots and a strong backchecking game, Vegas would've been blown out.

Finally, there is the Minnesota Wild the next day. Tied with the Winnipeg Jets for the most points in the NHL (42), the Wild have been carried by Kirill Kaprizov's (18 goals, 43 points) Hart Trophy-caliber play. There's also Filip Gustavson (NHL-best 2.08 GAA, save percentage of .927 in 21 games) playing like a Vezina Trophy candidate.

Why does getting healthy matter?

Let's start with Mark Stone. The Captain is back on the top line, creating more goals with Jack Eichel and Ivan Barbashev. According to Natural Stat Trick, the trio has the following stat line:

GF% of 65.22, 15 goals scored, eight goals allowed, Corsi% of 47.06

You also have Victor Olofsson, who brings more bite to the power play. The Swedish winger had two goals in eight games this season, adding a sniping option originally buoyed by Jonathan Marchessault. Plus, he's reunited with Eichel from their days in Buffalo. The pair will create more magic on the fifth-best power play in the NHL (27.1%).

Finally, the Golden Knights are getting a solid defender in Zach Whitecloud back. The 28-year-old has 40 blocked shots and 33 hits in 21 games this season. He adds a solid blue-line option focused on taking away shooting lanes. When you're going up against high-octane teams like the Jets, Oilers, and Wild, you need all hands on deck.

With the defenseman expected back during the road trip, the added defense will create turnovers and help the transition game. The team also has that momentum carry over into the home stand, where they'll face the Vancouver Canucks upon returning on December 19. Even if the team suffers a setback, Bruce Cassidy has shown he can manage the lineup well. That's good news, especially for a team facing a lighter schedule after that Vancouver game.