Is Jack Eichel the problem in Vegas? These stats make it seem that way

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Liam
April 25, 2022 (3:06 PM)

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For the last couple weeks, the tension has been palpable for the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Last night, with a late-game blown lead against the San Jose Sharks, the Knights have reached the boiling point, with some fans placing blame at their newly-acquired superstar Jack Eichel.

With only 3 game remaining in the season now, the Knights are 3 points behind the Dallas Stars for the final Wild Card playoff berth in the West, and will play the Stars in a do or die game tomorrow night.

But isn't it surprising that the Golden Knights are battling for a playoff spot? At the beginning of the season, they were largely favoured among NHL analysts to be champions of the Western Conference. With the addition of Jack Eichel, this team became serious Stanley Cup contenders.

Then, their season spiralled out of control. As injuries piled up, affecting their star players like Mark Stone, Max Pacioretty, Alec Martinez, Robin Lehner, and Jack Eichel too. Currently however, the entire core is healthy and playing, and the team is still falling out of a playoff spot.

Eichel was supposed to be the catalyst to get Vegas over the hump in the playoffs - a bonafide top line center with game breaking ability - and he has been anything but. In 31 games with Vegas, Eichel has posted only 12 goals and 21 points. Being well under a point per game pace is worrisome for the $10,000,000 dollar acquisition.

Even more worrisome is the team's record with Eichel and his lackluster performance in big games. Since Eichel has been in the lineup, the team has a record of 14-14-3 and has lost in devastating fashion a couple of times. In last night's critical game against the Sharks, Eichel posted no points, no hits, was a -2, and didn't register a shot until overtime.

Eichel must be the catalyst he was expected to be for the Knights to have success for the rest of this season, and maybe the playoffs. Without a doubt, he and the team must be better next season, otherwise their points projections from the last 30 games would have them as one of the last place teams.

Of course, there have been reports of Eichel not being pleasant in the locker room from Buffalo as well, leaving some to wonder if he's disrupted the locker room chemistry in Vegas. Eichel demanded a trade out of Buffalo for sound reasons, and wished to play for a contending team like the Knights. He's got his wish, but his performance leaves a lot more for Vegas fans to wish for.

Not to mention since calling out the Sabres' fan base, Eichel has gone pointless 8 times, only has 2 powerplay goals and has no game winning goals. For a player who was hoping to get playoff experience it seems yet again without real help, Jack Eichel will be on the outside looking in.