Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, and Ivan Barbashev have made up the best and most consistently dominant line for the Golden Knights this season. As a trio, they got off to a blazing start to begin the year. Then, injuries to Stone and Barbashev forced Vegas to use different options alongside Eichel. Eventually, they’ve found their way back together and the dominance has started to return.
During the most recent homestand, they played all three games together and walked away with massive numbers. Eichel posted two goals and seven points while Stone and Barbashev each scored a goal and three points. In three games, they scored a combined four goals and 13 points helping VGK to a 3-0-0 stretch in which they outscored their opponents 15-6.
Eichel earned the NHL’s 2nd Star of the Week, which added to his 3rd Star, and Stone’s 1st Star in October when they played together to start the season.
In total, the trio has started 30 games together and have shared the ice at some point in 44 games. They’ve outscored the opposition at even strength 26-17 and have generated 56% of the scoring chances, 57% of the high-danger chances, and 52% of the expected goals.
Most of the success though has come at T-Mobile Arena. In the 30 games they’ve started together, the team is 13-1-3 at home while on the road they’re just 4-8-1.
Oddly, it’s the defensive numbers that take the biggest dip for the team when Eichel, Stone, and Barbashev play together on the road. In the 13 road games they’ve started together, the Golden Knights are allowing an alarming 3.77 goals per game. At home, that number is just 2.35 when they are together and 2.39 overall.
Away from home, the trio has been on the ice for more 5-on-5 goals than they’ve scored (10-8) and they’ve been outshot 83-71.
The way the Golden Knights’ roster is made up, they have to get massive numbers out of the top line if they are together. At home, they’ve done it, doubling up their opponents, on the road, they’ve basically broken even. The trickle-down effect is more pronounced away from home because the opposing coach can choose the matchups at every stoppage.
With Tomas Hertl expected to be out of the lineup for at least the next three games, Bruce Cassidy may be forced to split up his power trio during the road trip. Fortunately, that may just be the best option when the Golden Knights hit the road anyway.
Pistol Pete
Hertl is listed as shoulder. Since it’s requiring multiple tests hopefully that means nothing obviously major and it’s just sore. Hopefully.
Yeah Barbashev-Eichel-Stone fire it up on the road too!
JB
Or, it could mean they are considering surgery ? Hope not, but may not have him back until playoffs! Amazing this happens to him just when he is at the top of his game.
knights fan in minny
number 7 out tonight
Larry
It’s super cool Howden got his 20th!!!! but personally I’d have him centering the 2nd line and put Roy where he is at best on the 4th.