The Vegas Golden Knights have another big test on Thursday, facing off against the Utah Mammoth. Why is this a big deal, you ask? Well, the Mammoth happen to be in the thick of a playoff race, too. They're looking to somehow skyrocket in the standings and crash the three-headed dragon party in the Central Division.
Led by big names like Clayton Keller and Karel Vejmelka, Utah is seen by many as a disruptive team. They have plenty of solid pieces that anchor the squad, ranging from the forward group to the blue line.
As you know, the Golden Knights can't take this matchup lightly. This is a must-win of epic proportions, especially with the Edmonton Oilers and the Anaheim Ducks shooting up the Pacific Division standings.
So what better way to beat the Mammoth than to... get tape from the Chicago Blackhawks?
Yes, dear reader, I'm not joking with you. In fact, looking at the Blackhawks can reveal a potent strategy that Vegas can abuse on Thursday. Let's dive into this little plan a bit further and see how the Golden Knights can win against Utah... with the help of Chicago.
Why the Chicago Blackhawks, of all teams?
The Blackhawks are a surprising 4-0-0 against the Mammoth this season, playing a frustrating east-and-west style that Utah couldn't contain. Having younger players to combat the Mammoth made Chicago a frustrating team to go up against.
Mind you, the Golden Knights have done something similar to this, as proven by their 4-1 victory on November 20. The rush for this game was led by none other than Jack Eichel, who scored two goals and an assist for the game's first star. Of course, it also helps that you have 33 shots on goal against Utah. In turn, you've put your opponent on its heels.
Sure, you might look at the Golden Knights and think, "there's no way they can do this! Chicago is much younger and quicker than Vegas." Yes, that part is true. But you can rely on a specific player not named Eichel to carry the load.
Why Brett Howden matters in Thursday's contest against the Utah Mammoth
The Vegas Golden Knights do have some fast skaters on their team, starting with Howden. He's carved out a name as one of the most reliable lower-line players around, as proven by his overtime goal on November 2, 2024.
The stats might not jump out much since he only has a goal and an assist (both coming on that November 2 date). However, his presence adds more for the depth scoring for Vegas. With Eichel carrying the top lines with Mitch Marner, imagine what the former first-round pick can do for the Golden Knights with east-and-west speed.
If the Golden Knights can get their speed guys going without any problems, it'll be another win against a playoff-position team. There, you can build momentum and go on a mini-roll during the Stanley Cup playoffs. No, I'm not saying that they'll magically win the Stanley Cup with a win here. But anything can happen.