The Vegas Golden Knights are hoping that a change in scenery can produce a change in recent results.
On Saturday, the Golden Knights hope to get a short road trip started with something positive against the St. Louis Blues.
Venue: Enterprise Center, St. Louis, MO
Date: Saturday, November 15
Time: 5:00 pm PST
How To Watch: ESPN+, SCRIPPS, FDSNMW
Radio: 1340 AM, 101 ESPN (101.1 FM)
A six-game homestand was a massive missed opportunity for the Golden Knights, coming away with a 1-3-2 record and banking only four of a possible 12 points. This quick weekend getaway to St. Louis and St. Paul tomorrow suddenly has become far more pivotal for the Golden Knights, who come in on a four-game losing streak. Win or at least look good in both games, and the panic setting in to the fanbase will die down substantially; continue to struggle, and the door opens for more drastic changes to team construction.
Here are some of the major storylines to pay attention to as the Golden Knights hope to return to their winning ways.
Everything’s falling apart
On Oct. 20, the Golden Knights were leading in the NHL standings and emerging as one of the early favorites to hoist the Stanley Cup.
Almost a month later, and the script has flipped dramatically. The team is dead last in that span in wins and points, due in large part to a sputtering offense that has lost its rhythm after captain Mark Stone went down with injury. Now sitting outside of the playoff picture just before Thanksgiving, the Golden Knights will have to turn things around to prevent further, more serious questions from emerging.
Bow at the ready
Thursday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the New York Islanders felt like more of the same from the Golden Knights, but one silver lining was the play of forward Braeden Bowman in his NHL debut.
Bowman did not look out of place in his first bit of NHL action, and the power play looked more cohesive despite not cashing in when Bowman played in Stone’s spot behind the net. Now, the Golden Knights hope to further turn Bowman into their Stone replacement by sticking him in the captain’s usual spot in five-on-five, placing him on the top line with Jack Eichel and Ivan Barbashev. If Bowman can stick with his new linemates and provide a spark to either them or himself, it would go a long way towards cementing his spot on a healthy lineup.
Take full advantage
This weekend has to be seen as a get-right opportunity for the Golden Knights, and the schedule helps do them a favor.
Not only are the Blues and Minnesota Wild also disappointing this season, but both will be on the second game of back-to-backs when they face Vegas. The Blues are coming off a frustrating 6-5 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers in their last game, so the Golden Knights can take advantage of a frustrated team running on less-than-fresh legs. With the team in desperate need of wins and points, coming back to Vegas with four points would help keep the Golden Knights’ season ambitions in good health.
