Golden Knights face Mounting Concerns Amidst Recent Struggles
Las Vegas, NV – The Vegas golden Knights are navigating a challenging stretch, having lost 10 of their last 15 games and posting a 5-5-5 record during that span.A confluence of issues-ranging from offensive stagnation to defensive vulnerabilities and inconsistent goaltending-is fueling the team’s downturn, raising concerns as they attempt to maintain their position in a competitive Western Conference.
The Golden Knights’ recent struggles aren’t attributable to a single flaw, but rather a collection of concerning trends. The team’s offensive output has considerably diminished,defensive lapses are becoming more frequent,and special teams aren’t providing the necessary boost. This downturn impacts not only the team’s standing in the Pacific Division but also their playoff aspirations and the expectations set by a championship-winning fanbase.
Here’s a breakdown of key statistics highlighting the team’s difficulties over the past month:
* VGK has failed to score more then 4 goals in any of the last 12 games, following a period where they achieved this feat in 4 of their first 10 games.
* Jack Eichel has been on the ice for 19 of the 37 goals VGK has allowed in the last 15 games.
* Since October 30th, VGK’s shooting percentage has dropped to 7.61%, ranking as the 7th worst in the league.
* Pavel Dorofeyev has not recorded an even-strength goal during the month of November.
* Only three players – Saad, Korczak, and Lauzon - currently hold a positive plus/minus rating over VGK’s last 12 games.
* VGK has drawn 50 penalties while taking 39 in the last 13 games, yet have only scored one more goal than their opponents on special teams.
* The 4th line has been scoreless in the last 15 games.
* Noah Hanifin is a -6 and has been on the ice for 10 goals against at 5-on-5 as his return from injury.
* Mitch Marner has accumulated 11 points in the last 15 games,projecting to a 60-point season.
* A VGK goaltender has achieved a save percentage above .900 in only 3 of the last 13 games.
* Tomas Hertl has 9 points in the last 12 games, but has been on the ice for an equal number of goals for and against at all strengths (11 each).
* VGK has not secured a win in a game where a defenseman failed to register a point as November 4th (a span of 10 games).
* Keegan Kolesar is a -6 and has been on the ice for 8 goals against in his last 120 minutes of 5-on-5 play.
* Jack Eichel is tied for 2nd in the league with 44 giveaways in 22 games.
