Last night, the Golden Knights lost in one of the rarest and most heartbreaking ways. It was just the 5th time in the last nine seasons in which a team allowed a shorthanded goal in overtime, and it ended the longest homestand of the season with a paltry 1-3-2 record.
There are issues in many different areas that have plagued the Golden Knights through the first month of the season. These include special teams, depth scoring, transition offense, and penalties, but there’s one place VGK could be better that would essentially erase all of it, and they simply haven’t been.
Overtime.
The Golden Knights are now 1-5 this season when the game has extended beyond regulation, and dating back to last year, they are now 5-15, including a 4-9 mark in games that end before shootout.
Loser points have kept this year’s team afloat, but if they were just average in OT and shootout, they’d be right near the top of the league rather than sitting on the wrong side of the cut line.
We’ve been better in overtime the last two. If you told me what was going to happen in terms of the chances, I’d say ‘ok, I’ll take that chance.’ Earlier in the year, we didn’t generate enough. -Bruce Cassidy
The numbers bear that out as well. Last night, VGK racked up three scoring chances, two high-danger, and posted their highest expected goal total of any overtime this season. In the Anaheim game, the last OT, Vegas also doubled up the Ducks in scoring chances and expected goals, but just couldn’t get one to go.
The on-ice numbers paint a pretty clear picture as to what’s going wrong.
Number of times on the ice for OT goal against (last two seasons)
Eichel – 8
Theodore – 4
Hertl – 4
Dorofeyev – 3
Stone – 2
Howden – 2
Pietrangelo – 2
Marner – 2
Hanifin – 1
Beyond just being on the ice for eight of the nine goals VGK have allowed in OT, Eichel’s analytics in OT are terrible. He’s posted a 28.6% shot share (16 shots for to 40 against), scoring chances and high-danger are both right around 25% (12-34 scoring chances, 4-12 high-danger), and his expected goal share is a measly 23.5% (0.73-2.37).
Eichel has been on the ice for 2.37 expected goals against in 26:28 of 3-on-3 play since the start of last season. There’s only one player in the entire NHL who has been on ice for more, Calgary’s Rasmus Andersson, and he’s played 13 more minutes, 50% more ice time, than Eichel.
And, none of the above numbers account for last night’s debacle because it wasn’t 3-on-3… it was 3-on-4!
Of course, Eichel has played a massive amount more than everyone else in a Golden Knights sweater. He’s been on the ice for 26:28 at 3-on-3, while Theodore is a close second at 23:42. No one else is more than 17 minutes, and only six players have eclipsed double digits. VGK have played a total of 55:33 of 3-on-3 time.
The only saving grace for Eichel is that his PDO currently sits at a level that indicates he’s been extremely unlucky. The team’s shooting percentage while he’s been on the ice is 14.3% while the opposition is shooting 25.9%. Typically, those numbers even out, even if the advanced analytics differ.
It seems weird because Jack Eichel is unquestionably the best player on the roster, but there’s a pretty good argument based on the numbers that he should be used less in overtime.
Also, they could use a save here and there.
23
Jack for some strange reason is deferring to Theodore for a lot of puck carrying in OT. big mistake. He also loses the opening faceoff a lot, which does not help.
hell, he also deferred to his buddy Hanifin last night in OT. Jack is being too unselfish, and it hurts the team.
Jack needs to simply go coast to coast , take charge, be the main man, and quit the pass-first, slow the play down, circle the wagons nonsense.
Jack is the best, but he needs help, and he is not getting it with the injuries to 2 main players, Stone and Karlsson.
TS
23, i slso see a Theodore with the puck. A lot
,
Shooting from FAR outside.
Racing toward the net with the puck, not passing to the inside.
Handling the puck on the outside, fancy handling and all, but the puck isn’t going in! Many chances by him, when there ARE inside guys to actually score, and not just play with the puck!
The team may be trying to get the scoring going, . Or renewning Theo’s confidence.
But maybe it is EICHEL’s confidence in question now, and HE is the player who needs more shots!!!
Emmanuel
??????????
Eichel is 5th in the NHL in Giveaways.
Shea Theodore is 103rd.
TS
OUCH!
TS
Emm, i meant that instead of Theo taking multiple, fruitless shots, I think it is Jack , who should be taking more shots. Unselfish as Jack.is, we NEED him to score!
.Does that help?
.
DruBlu
When the OT 4-on-3 face-off was setting up, I thought, “Wait, why is there only 1 player up high? If they win the draw, they’ll have a 2-on-1 and we lose!” Sure enough, they ended up with it, and only needed 1-on-1 to get it done. My hockey IQ is quite low, especially compared to these guys, and I spotted that INSTANTLY, before the puck hit the ice. But I didn’t even hear anyone on either post-game show mention it. Am I wrong somehow about that?
Yeah, the tying goal, and the OT goal – 2 instances where a save would be nice, to put it mildly. “I’m biting my lip” to quote Gary Lawless after that, and for myself, I’d add, “…to keep from putting my fist through the wall”. Been screaming about the OT/SO for nearly a year now, & I know I’m not alone there.
CANADA
I’ve been watching Eichel closely and as good as he is he’s predictable. If other teams study him and they do they pretty much know where he is going and what he is going to do. He is strong on the puck and has unquestionable skills but somthings missing ,Stone . Our players most of the time don’t seem to know where he is going . Stone has him figured out . I don’t think Marner and Jack are a fit they don’t flow . With 27 mil on a line we should expect more and we don’t see it . Change this line once and for all and find a good replacement for Stone 42? Get Marner his own line . Still like Lauzon he’s plus even after taking some penalties . You have to give him those as he is out there banging around and grinding . Who ever thinks he is useless hasn’t watched what he does out there. Really liked 42 Boman strong on the puck goes to front of the net 22 years old and he Can score , almost got one . Rienhardt and Sissons are weak links trade em . We were on our way out the door after the second ,went for a walk and decided to stay . That last goal was a great shot maybe he should have stopped it but might have been abit screened by Marner. It wast the tale of the night but tough one to lose . As along time fan I was questioning spending 3 hours of my life and 500 bucks to watch ugly hockey. One can only hope
Larry
Agree and agree about Eichel in overtime , I noticed something that went back to last year that he was defensed well by the opposition , keeping 1 player on him at all times especially 150 feet from the net, and not giving him space to build a head of steam.
His speed is quite obviously elite, but not in the manner of a McKinnon or mcdavid where a a small opening can turn into a Grade A chance, overtime is not for ragging the puck, cause that will not set up chances 2-2, rather speed, quickness and quick precise passes, cycling and passing create odd man situations , not taking a shot from 25 feet and effectively turning it over to the opposition.
I understand if regular season overtime hockey is not the number one thing to do at practice, but I would hope video bull sessions are held to be shown what is right and more importantly what is wrong!
Vic
Cassidy was out coached by Roy when he seemed to surprise the VGK with the early goalie pull. The Isles were fast, checking hard and hungry and would not give up the puck. Also bad planning in OT 4 on 3 with Jack taking the face off and Marner back on D. Post and crossbar things happen, but this was a waste of a point, and shows the league many VGK weaknesses again.
Emmanuel
Isles are 1 two way player from being top 5 Cup contenders.
hdbiker7851
PP – are you reading and assessing the comments – I believe you would have to agree with most of them despite your optimism which I give you credit for as long as you also recognize the Knights have issues – probably more than we would like to believe. One of the biggest issues is their 25+ million first line. That’s a ton of an investment for minimum return. Hopefully they ALL can get their act together for Saturday and start a run. They need that to improve their confidence. They all talk a good game about what’s needed unfortunately talk is cheap, action is what wins hockey games.
Larry
Considering the blues played a wild 6-5 shootout loss to the flyers, and will be playing a back to back tomorrow against VGK , maybe just maybe that should be a favorable recipe for the boys? Let us hope otherwise I dare not want to have to read the comments here, myself included!
Hdbiker7851
It does become a little disheartening – they are a better team than what’s been demonstrated. The goalie situation is troublesome and the defense is questionable – guess you could also say that realistically posting about much of the forward assembly. Hope springs eternal – maybe Saturday will be a different result.
Larry
I agree wholeheartedly about everything, I said before the season I had concerns about the offense, now it’s concerns everywhere.
I believe the recent promotion of Bowman is the tip of the iceberg for changes , Pete has talked about Kmec and Uronen making an impact for HSK, might they be given a chance?
I further think that Reinhardt and Holtz have played their way into the doghouse through inefficiency and dumb penalties , and my stance on Saad is clear as well.
As the Front Office has repeatedly shown’ business is business’ and not afraid to scuttle a fan favorite who has been here for years , to that end it will not surprise me to see Kolessar traded and a similar ( but better) player brought in.
That’s all I got for tonight, over and out.
hdbiker7851
Larry – I agree business is business, but I also have to point out some of their recent dealings have weaken this team. Kolessar runs hot and cold and his teammates has a lot to do with that. The FO is infatuated with bright new toys – not all are what they have been previously, others have. A perfect example was getting rid of Thompson and keeping Hill who continues to be an accident just waiting to happen – Thompson was a cheap keep, Hill was and is an expensive liability.
JB
We need to get going, now! We are getting buried behind a lot of teams in the division/conference standings. Let’s go boys!
Jack Hammer
Ivan Barbashev — Jack Eichel — Braeden Bowman
Pavel Dorofeyev — Tomas Hertl — Mitch Marner
Brandon Saad — Brett Howden — Reilly Smith
Cole Reinhardt — Colton Sissons — Keegan Kolesar
Brayden McNabb — Shea Theodore
Noah Hanifin — Kaedan Korczak
Jeremy Lauzon — Zach Whitecloud
Akira Schmid
Carl Lindbom
Emmanuel
Would be interesting if they flipped Marner & Smith and told Marner to fire away!
TS
Welcome back, Jack!
Bruce
hammer – those the lines for tonite????
Pistol Pete
Jack has scored in OT just wish he get in back going when we need it the most meaning right now this season. Bowman looks to start on the Eichel line against the Blues. Come to think of it the Hertl line needs to recover that scoring touch it had with Marner. Watch for Carter Hart against the Wranglers. Not sure he’s going but today is the first day he’s eligible.
——————————
Jack Eichel has scored 20 overtime goals in his career, which was a milestone goal for him that ended a game against the Kraken on March 12, 2024. This was his 200th career goal and was scored in overtime for the Vegas Golden Knights.
20th Overtime Goal: Eichel’s 20th overtime goal was his 200th career goal.
Date: The goal was scored on March 12, 2024.
Team: He scored the goal while playing for the Vegas Golden Knights.
Opponent: The goal was scored against the Seattle Kraken.
Pistol Pete
My bad but looks like Eichel’s career OT goals is 11 not 20. Can’t find how many assists. McDavid has 16 OTG. If McDavid has “just” 16 I guess we can be pretty impressed with Eichel’s 11!
https://www.statmuse.com/nhl/player/jack-eichel-1845/career-stats
Pistol Pete
Ovechin has “just” 27 OTG. I mean they are pretty hard to come by I would say. Just saying out man Jack has been no slouch career wise in OT but needs to sharpen it up for 2025-26!