The Colorado Avalanche held the Vegas Golden Knights in check for most of the first period but once they scored, the floodgates opened en route to an 8-4 victory.
Adin Hill stopped 28 of the 32 shots he faced, allowing Mikko Rantanen to record a hat-trick. The Golden Knights power play was efficient, converting on two of their three attempts. They also killed two of the three Avalanche power plays, winning the special teams battle against one of the top teams in the NHL.
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With such a dominant offensive performance, lots of players and headlines can shine but the three main takeaways from the season opener are the most vital.
1. Ivan Barbashev and Jack Eichel’s Chemistry Clicked Once Again
Eichel is going to need to have a big year offensively if the Golden Knights are going to have any success. If the first game of the season and a battle against Nathan MacKinnon is any indication, the Golden Knights will be able to rely on the 27-year-old. He recorded four assists, two of which were primary markers.
Barbashev has been a mainstay on Eichel’s wing and the expectations of what he can provide skyrocketed in the offseason when the Golden Knights watched Jonathan Marchessault and Chandler Stephenson walk in free agency. He too showed he’s capable of an increased role scoring twice and adding two assists, one of them being a primary assist. The two were connecting on passes while cycling the puck and were lethal make quick give-and-go’s in transition. Consistently producing offense will be the biggest factor for the two but last night’s display is a positive sign.
2. Victor Olofsson Showing Signs That Last Year Was A One-Off
Olfosson had the worst statistical season of his career last year with the Buffalo Sabres and joined the Golden Knights looking for a fresh start. He was determined to show that the 2023-24 season was an outlier and early signs show that may be true. The 29-year-old has a wicked release and showcased it on both goals he scored. His first game from an angle that very few players can score from.
His second came on the power play where his shot came with too much speed and accuracy for Alexandar Georgiev to stop. Olofsson was hoping to play alongside his former Sabres teammate Eichel but was placed with Brendan Brisson and Nicolas Roy. Despite playing with linemates he’s never skated with, Olofsson was a standout performer who showed good chemistry with both Brisson and Roy.
3. Mark Stone’s Injury History Doesn’t Look To Be A Factor In His Play
Stone has had a tough go with injuries throughout his career but specifically the last three seasons. Each time he’s bounced back and showed no ill effects but some people worried that it could catch up to him this year. He’s not getting any younger and recovering from injuries at Stone’s age becomes increasingly difficult. Game 1 of the season put those concerns to rest as he recorded two goals and three points with a +4 rating. The 32-year-old has been adamant in many of his interviews and press conferences that he wants to prove people wrong and win another Stanley Cup. Last night’s performance from the captain and the team showed just that.
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Related: As Las Vegas Continues To Implode History, The Golden Knights Continue To Help Evolve Sin City Into The Sports Capital Of The World
Related: Sharp-dressed Eichel on the difference between his draft-night suit and his first custom-tailored suit: “Probably just the size of my bank account”
