Do you know that feeling when you leave your vacation when you don't want to? You're having an excellent time, enjoying the various sights and sounds of your brief stay. That's the feeling hockey fans (particularly Vegas Golden Knights fans) had during the 4 Nations Face-Off. How cool was it seeing heated rivals go at it during the break?
But it's time to get back to the regular season, where there must be a Stanley Cup winner. Sure, the Canadians might've won the 4 Nations tournament. However, they still haven't had a Stanley Cup since 1993. The Golden Knights hope to extend that streak one more year with another title, whether it's through Jack Eichel or the trade deadline. Kelly McCrimmon, you know what to do.
That means having a strong March, where the team has historically thrived. They have an all-time record of 59-32-6, marking the time when they soar to new heights (no propane required). It'll be tougher this year with a brutal schedule and the absence of Logan Thompson. But Bruce Cassidy has shown he can adapt when needed.
Having a strong March starts with one particular player standing out. He must be fueled with that propane and be proficient in goaltending and goaltending accessories. Otherwise, the fans will go "BWAAAAAH" and watch their favorite hockey team slip in playoff positioning. Nobody wants that. Who's the mystery player that must thrive in March?
Adin Hill must have an excellent March
Adin Hill (2.64 GAA, .900 save percentage this season) has been under a microscope throughout the 2024-25 season. Granted, it's not his fault. Watching Logan Thompson (2.23 GAA and .921 save percentage this season) take the Washington Capitals to the top of the NHL has stung Vegas Golden Knights fans. However, that doesn't mean the upcoming month of March isn't important to the netminder.
Throughout his career, Hill has a GAA of 2.90 and a save percentage of .907 (1,078 minutes played) in March. Therefore, the Golden Knights will go as far as he can carry them. With the upcoming schedule containing tough matchups against teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and Minnesota Wild, the 4 Nations Face-Off representative must have a strong showing.
One can point to his spectacular December as a prime example. Here, he had a GAA of 2.26 and a save percentage of .919 during that month. That included a 1-0 shutout over the Edmonton Oilers on December 3rd. He was key to the Golden Knights going 10-2-0 in December, putting them comfortably ahead in the Stanley Cup playoff race.
So how can he replicate his success from December? For starters, he must be better on his glove side. Opposing teams have figured out how to attack him on this side, generating pressure up front. In turn, it's hampered his tracking and left him exposed. If he can also move with the puck, it'll cut back on preventable mistakes.
The Oilers aren't going away anytime soon. They're tied for the division lead in points (72) and have a game in hand. However, having a reliable netminder to hold the fort down goes a long way in keeping pace with said rivals. That starts with the 28-year-old, who's looking to become the... King of the Hill.