The Vegas Golden Knights enter the annual Dad's Trip down a few guys. Okay, it's a lot. You already know the names at this point and it's apparent that these missing parts are why Vegas has lost six of its last seven games. Luckily, there's some good news on the way.
That comes in the form of Jack Eichel, who's traveling with the Golden Knights on the three-game road trip. Not having the guy who has 12 goals and 29 assists this season hurts in many ways. For one, he's your superstar and the entire Golden Knights apparatus runs through him.
Besides, who wants to see Mitch Marner play center all the time? The winger's meant to, well, be a winger and set up his teammates. Sure, he adds some goals on the side. But Marner can't do all the work by himself since he's human like the rest of us.
That's why Eichel needs to return to the Golden Knights, whether it's against the Blues or against the Winnipeg Jets. These three reasons show why Vegas can't go without its superstar any longer.
1.) The two-way game drastically improves for the Golden Knights
Let's be completely honest with ourselves here. The Golden Knights haven't done a great job of defending the defensive zone in recent weeks. They've let entries slip by them and haven't had much luck with their exits. It's part of how the Colorado Avalanche and the Nashville Predators came back to win in their respective games.
Thank goodness that Eichel exists because he's great at defending and playing both ends of the ice. Sure, there's the looming Brayden McNabb elephant in the room that weakens the back end. However, having your franchise player back on the ice will help ease the pressure.
2.) The power play structure benefits greatly from having Eichel in it
While the Golden Knights have done reasonably well without Eichel in their past seven games on the unit (26.1% with six goals on 23 opportunities), it doesn't hurt to have your franchise face in the mix. He does have 16 power play assists on the season and is projected to hit 35 for the year.
Plus, you don't have Theodore around as a backup piece, meaning someone must seek out quality chances. That man happens to be No. 9, who's done an excellent job as a power play merchant for the Golden Knights. But Vegas also benefits on the other side of the special teams coin.
3.) The penalty kill gets even better with Eichel around
The past seven games have seen the Golden Knights allow four goals in 13 games. Granted, two games saw Vegas allow two goals. However, the trend is alarming without the superstar center around. How do you allow two goals on the penalty kill against... the Nashville Predators?
With the possibility of not having Brayden McNabb looming, the Golden Knights need as many effective sticks on the ice as possible. Enter No. 9, who does a great job at achieving this. Eichel has the range and pesky nature to disrupt the play.
In turn, exits are made and the Golden Knights can burn time off the opposing power play. Vegas needs that style in the penalty kill, especially since there's the possibility of being down a few key players.