LAS VEGAS — The Vegas Golden Knights head into Saturday night’s home clash with the New York Rangers sitting on top of the league at the midway point of their season, deadlocked with the Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets, each with 59 points.
Before the Knights embark on the second half of their campaign, here are five observations from the first 41 games.
EICHEL HAS BEEN ALL HART: Star center Jack Eichel has been outstanding for the Knights all season, and is on pace to put up staggering career numbers. Eichel, whose career high in points is 82 and in assists is 54, is on pace to finish with 106 points, including 84 assists. His scoring momentum has never wavered since the start of the season, averaging 1.45 points per game through the first 20 games, and now 1.14 ppg. through the last 21. His overall play has him in the Hart Trophy conversation, and showing plenty of value at +2500 at DraftKings.
TOP-TIER DEFENSE: During training camp, coach Bruce Cassidy said he wanted the identity of the team to be in the defensive zone. “We want to be the best defensive team in the Pacific Division,” he said in September. At this point, the Knights just may have the best in the NHL. Since Nov. 21, the Knights have led the league with 35 points and it’s been their defense that’s led them there, allowing an NHL second-fewest 50 goals (2.27 per game). They also rank eighth in limiting the opposition to 26.7 shots per contest.
BLUELINE SCORING: The Golden Knights’ scoring depth goes without saying, as they’ve gotten plenty of production from all four lines. But they also have three defensemen with double-digit points, led by Shea Theodore’s 33 points, followed by Noah Hanifin and Alex Pietrangelo, each with 21 points. Since Dec. 1, Vegas’ defensive core has tallied 41 points (12 goals, 29 assists), with all six defensemen finding the back of the net. Collectively, the Knights’ blueliners have 96 points this season, tied for fourth most in the NHL.
BETWEEN THE PIPES: Adin Hill is tied for seventh with former teammate Logan Thompson with 17 wins this season. Among goaltenders with a minimum 20 games played, he ranks seventh with his .903 save percentage while his 2.60 goals-against average is 16th best. But the better story might be backup Ilya Samsonov, who heads into the second half of the season on a six-game win streak. During the stretch, Samsonov boasts a 1.50 goals-against average and .937 save percentage, both ranking second among all goaltenders during that span.
SPRUCE BRUCE: Cassidy heads into the second half of the season 942 days on the job. As of now, he’s the second-longest tenured coach of the eight-year-old franchise, 65 days shy of Gerard Gallant. There’s no doubt he’s lasting past March 17, when he’ll become the longest-tenured coach, as he’s gotten a full grasp of his stars, veterans and younger players. He’s made adjustments at the right time, and put some of his youngest prospects right alongside Eichel and captain Mark Stone, knowing who will step up in the right spots. Cassidy could find himself in the running for another Jack Adams award by season’s end.
