Eichel a Game-Time Decision v Boston, Pietrangelo Still Out

The Vegas Golden Knights have arrived in Boston for their final game of a four-game road trip. A matchup in one of America's most historic cities is important not only for the team as a measuring stick game but for multiple members of the team individually. Phil Kessel and Bruce Cassidy will face off against their former teams, and forward Jack Eichel will have the opportunity to play in his home state and where he played college hockey.

After Sunday morning's practice, Eichel was labeled as a game-time decision by head coach Cassidy. Eichel left the Golden Knight's 4-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings in the third period with an apparent leg injury.

"Jack is here this morning getting treatment, so he will be a game-time decision," said Cassidy, who also confirmed that defenseman Alex Pietrangelo would miss his fourth-straight game due to personal reasons.

A native of North Chelmsford, Massascutches, Eichel played college hockey at Boston University. Due to injuries, COVID seasons, and being traded out of the Atlantic Division, Eichel has not played in Boston since Dec. 29, 2019. He had an assist and took a 10-minute game misconduct in a 3-2 loss with the Buffalo Sabres.

"If there is one person who wants to play in Boston on Monday, it's Jack. I'm sure he'll do everything in his power to get out there and help us if he can," said Cassidy.

Eichel's last shift came roughly eight minutes into the third period of the Golden Knight's win against the Red Wings. The broadcast showed him in some discomfort with his left leg, but no hit or collision seemed to kickstart this injury. It seems as if Eichel may have pulled something in his leg.

If Eichel is unable to play, expect Chandler Stephenson to move over to play center and for Michael Amadio to rejoin the lineup. With Pietrangelo out, Daniil Miromanov has been recalled and looked solid in his season debut Saturday night.

With the Golden Knights, Eichel has had three significant injuries. The most infamous was his neck injury which he had artificial disk replacement surgery on. Eichel also broke his thumb, blocking a shot from Mackenzie Weegar in March of last season.

Most recently, Eichel was hit in the face with a puck that came off the stick of Nicolas Hague. This came in the Golden Knight's game Monday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Eichel missed a couple of shifts but returned. He has since worn a full-bubble shield after he had his eye stitched up ten times.