VGK’s 5-Forward Unit Continues To Do Damage In Crucial Moments

The Golden Knights found themselves in a familiar place last night, chasing a lead late in the game. After a called-back tying goal, it was starting to look like it just wasn’t going to be the night. But, then the most dangerous weapon the Golden Knights have hopped over the boards and got to work.

It starts with the puck on Jack Eichel’s stick in or near the circle to the goalie’s right. His unique ability to maintain possession of the puck in traffic allows him to assess the options set up around him. Whether it’s on the power play, or in the late game 6-on-5 situation, the options remain the same.

To his left, there’s Mark Stone, standing on the goal line with his big body and elite stick facing the play.

To his right is Mitch Marner, with the ability to quickly move the puck or use his figure skating-like movement to attack the middle.

Directly in front of him is Tomas Hertl, a massive man who cannot be pushed out of the most dangerous spot on a hockey rink.

And finally, all the way across the ice, there’s Pavel Dorofeyev and his innate ability to fire pucks into the goal on the man-advantage, waiting for his moment.

There are a lot of different weapons and that’s what makes a power play successful. You need guys to understand their roles, but also that no matter where the puck goes there’s an ability to finish a play and I think that’s the beauty of this power-play. -Bruce Cassidy

There was no better example of it than with the clock bleeding away late in what felt like the biggest game of the year. First, Eichel passed it up to Marner. Recognizing a Leafs defender was without a stick, Marner gave it right back. So, Eichel held it, and eventually moved it to Stone. The defense collapsed towards the goal, and the captain gave it back to Eichel. On to option three. Eichel shuffled his feet as if he was going to unleash one of his slingshot-like wrist shots, opening the passing lane into Hertl. He dropped off a soft little feed, and the big guy in the middle spun it on goal in one motion.

It’s the unselfishness of the group. They know it, ‘Okay, well maybe it won’t be my night because they’re overplaying me, but someone else is going to have a night,’ and I think that’s led to a lot of success. -Cassidy

With seven seconds left on the clock, the Golden Knights had tied the game, finally, after being down by two goals on four separate occasions. It was their 5th goal of the night and 3rd coming with their five forward group on the ice (Theodore was out there too in the 6-on-5 situation for the last one).

This year’s team is still a work in progress at 5-on-5. They boast just the 15th most goals with both teams at full strength, and they’ve actually been outscored by a single goal following last night’s game. Being even, or close, is good enough though, because of the weaponry and the setup when they have an extra man.

It helped rescue a meaningful game against Toronto, it’s the biggest reason they currently sit in 1st place by four points with games in hand, and it’s why no matter what the scoreboard says at any moment, they’re never out of a game.