Everyone seems to be focused on the shiny, new Eichel-Marner pairing. The two megastars are set to debut on the top line and shatter numerous franchise records. After all, you need a response to your bitter rivals, the Edmonton Oilers.
You can't let them get one up on you after losing to them in the second round. No, that's not how Kelly McCrimmon operates. When given the opportunity, he'll reload with the best players and ensure the Vegas Golden Knights have a fighting chance.
With that, it's safe to say many people will be fixated on what Eichel and Marner do throughout the 2025-26 regular season. But that doesn't mean everyone should be focused on the two. In fact, another line deserves as much attention for doing the dirty work.
It's one that you're not thinking about right now. Heck, not many people, sans the hardcore fans, think about this line too much. But there's a good reason why you should pay attention to this trio of players.
Why the Vegas Golden Knights fourth line matters
Let's go based on where each line is projected to be. For the fourth line, they're set to have Brett Howden, Colton Sissons, and Keegan Kolesar (according to Daily Faceoff).
You want a unit that can impose a physical style on your opponents. That group must forecheck well and play a strong defensive style. You already have two excellent defensive-minded players with Keegan Kolesar and Brett Howden. Howden can blast up and down the ice with his speed, while Kolesar's strong forechecking makes him ideal for the unit.
But adding a defensive-minded forward in Colton Sissons makes things even better. The former Nashville Predator has 1,140 career hits and 218 career takeaways. He's an excellent forechecker who can apply pressure on his offensive opponents.
Of course, he also has some scoring chops with 95 goals and 126 assists in 11 seasons. His presence should complement Howden and Kolesar perfectly, especially after coming off career seasons.
Still, when you lose key defenders such as Nicolas Hague and Alex Pietrangelo, that leaves a massive void. You need someone who can take the pressure off Adin Hill and give him easy looks on shots. That's where the trio comes in.
They can generate turnovers and instill a hard-hitting mindset into the team. That mindset has been part of the Golden Knights' mantra since "Day F****** One," making them one of the most respected yet controversial franchises in the league. I hope you think about them throughout the NHL season, dear reader. Don't let me down!