(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)
The Golden Knights are leading the league in several categories this season but one in particular is a bit surprising. Vegas forward Max Pacioretty scored two 1st period goals last night to give him a total of 16 on the season. Pacioretty’s production has him five goals behind superstar and league leader Auston Matthews. However, that’s not a shocking statistic.
Most Goals Scored By Line
VGK: Pacioretty-Stephenson-Stone (24)
BOS: Pastranak-Bergeron-Marchand (17)
NYI: Lee-Eberle-Barzal (16)
VAN: Boeser-Miller-Pettersson (16)
COL: Landeskog-MacKinnon-Rantanen (15)
Not only is Pacioretty scoring, but his linemates are as well. The support from captain Mark Stone and center Chandler Stephenson have transformed Vegas’ top line into the best scoring trio in the NHL. Considering the heavy offensive lines in Boston, Edmonton and Toronto it’s unexpected to see the Pacioretty-Stephenson-Stone lead the entire league.
Vegas fans have seen the chemistry all season. All three complement one another and serve important roles when they’re on the ice together. We know Pacioretty is out there to sling the puck, but Stone and Stephenson have elevated the entire line by their playmaking abilities. The captain has 24 assists, meanwhile, the top line center has 11. The trio combined has a running total of 83 points or 33% of all Golden Knights points.
The Golden Knights’ second (top) line is climbing the leader board as well. Reilly Smith, William Karlsson, and Jonathan Marchessault are second in the league with 293 Shot Attempts For (SATF). Of course, the Pacioretty-Stephenson-Stone line is right behind them.
Shot Attempts For (Includes: Shots On Goal, Missed Shots, Blocked Shots)
COL: Landeskog-MacKinnon-Rantanen (300 SATF)
VGK: Smith-Karlsson-Marchessault (293)
VGK: Pacioretty- Stephenson-Stone (261)
BOS: Pastranak-Bergeron-Marchand (260)
NYI: Lee-Eberle-Barzal (258)
The top six seem to compete nightly to be the most productive line in Vegas. Both added offense last night against the Kings and have consistently scored important, timely goals all season long.
Another statistic the top two lines are exceeding at is Unblocked Shot Attempts For (USATF). The top six make up two out of the three best NHL lines in that category.
Unblocked Shot Attempts For(Includes: Shots On Goal, Missed Shots)
COL: Landeskog-MacKinnon-Rantanen (219 USATF)
VGK: Smith-Karlsson-Marchessault (206)
VGK: Pacioretty- Stephenson-Stone (206)
Obviously, scoring goals is the most important element to a winning club. The Golden Knights are getting that with the Pacioretty- Stephenson-Stone line, and the Smith-Karlsson-Marchessault trio are creating chance after chance per game. It’s a well-balanced top six and show no signs of slowing down. The only question is, can they keep it up in the postseason?
The categories Vegas leads the league or is close to all point to extended success. As long as both lines generate expected offense, Vegas will be a handful for any other team. No matter who they play.
DOC (Go Knights Go)
I’ve said repeatedly that the Knights have the team, right now, to win the cup. Especially if Panda comes back strong to team with Flurey.
Will they do something at FA/trade time? Who knows. All teams are always trying to improve their bottom 6. If they do, fine, but The boys we have can win the cup, this year!!!
Tim
Doc I agree with you go with what got you there. Like I told Ken months ago two good goalies give you a better chance to win the cup and I think thats been proven. If I was going to make one move and I see other sports writers are jumping on the bandwagon since I said this is the trade I’d make. Eri Haula is the one player who wouldn’t bring animosity to the team a former Misfit could slot in the third line with Glass and Tuch that’s if he’s not pissed that we traded him the day before his wedding. He’d cost us maybe a 4th or 5th round draft choice which is no big deal and it might energize him to regain his old magic. The fourth line you pick between Reeves, Nosek, Carrier, Roy, and Kolaser. Personally I like Nosek a lot he’s a 110% all the time then probably Roy, and probably Carrier because of his speed. Reeves a good guy but time to move on to his beer business and Kolaser just needs to keep working on his game.
Mark
Out top 2 lines are #1 in the NHL. Remember, our 2nd line was our 1st line our first year and we made the finals. Tuch on the 3rd line and he’s a top talent, he’s a first line guy on most teams. Also, we are probably the biggest team in the league. So many tall, big fast guys. We have a shot, of course, when we get Petro back, watch out.
Daryl
Please don’t take this as a knock as I think it’s great but look at the competition. Teams in the other divisions are playing other talented teams while this division is a complete joke. I’m not sure what’s up with STL but they look bad. Right now we have VGK and COL and the rest are bottom dwellers. Now look at every other division, they have 4 or 5 quality teams. Who knows, maybe that will work in VGK favor come playoffs as they will be the fresher team, but it could also hurt us as we won’t be used to playing quality teams for an entire series
THE hockey GOD
Daryl, and other brother Daryl
same thing happened last year….and we had walrus in nets.
VGK needs a game changer, veteran pick up rental at trade dead line to push them over the top
Tim
Daryl lets be fair the Canadian division has two teams Toronto and Winnipeg the others aren’t very good. The east by far the best and then the central, and little old us third but it is what it is.
sb
VGK top two lines look better …….. playing night after night against SJ, LA and the Ducks. Tops in Unblocked Shots ……. yeah, Colo and VGK playing against some of the worst teams in hockey. Grain of salt. It was only a couple months ago that Dallas put out the lights on these two lines. Vegas can win the Cup if they get that hi-end center for Stone/Pac and move Stephenson to Tuch/Glass. One player away fron the Cup.
Daryl
I completely agree