Golden Knights’ Jack Eichel Finding His Way Out Of Slump

Exiting All-Star Break, Vegas Golden Knights star centerman Jack Eichel has managed to also exit his scoring slump. After scoring just one point in eight games after Mark Stone left with an injury, Eichel now has four points in his last two games and is leading the team once more as puck luck is on his side.

“It's been better last these few games for me than before the break. Even before the break, I thought I was doing some good things and I just wasn't really finding it and finding the back of the net. There have been some positives for me last few and I am just trying to build off that, get a couple of points, and defend the back of the net," said Eichel.

The Golden Knights are now 3-0 since the break and have outscored opponents 17-4. As head coach Bruce Cassidy said "The guys are feeling it right now" as not only Eichel, but guys like Chandler Stephenson, Reilly Smith, Paul Cotter, and Jonathan Marchessault are also getting out of scoring slumps.

“I think we were kind of limping into the break. Everyone knew it was coming and we are on the road and things weren’t happening for us. So mentally you are a little challenged. You come out of the break refreshed and that mental wage is gone. It’s almost like starting over… The history of scoring in our room has been there so you know it wasn’t going to go on forever,” said coach Cassidy.

After falling out of the top spot in the division, the Golden Knights are back atop the Pacific with 68 points, one more than the Los Angeles Kings (57) and two more than the Edmonton Oilers (65) and Seattle Kraken (65).

“We're happy with how we're playing now. We know that there's still a lot we need to continue to get better at. But we've done some good things in the last few games… The guys are in a good place mentally right now and that's why you're seeing us play a little bit better,” Eichel added.

One of the areas the Golden Knights need to address is their powerplay, which is 0 for their last 18 and missing the net-front presence of Stone. The Golden Knights are both the least-penalized team in the league and also the team that receives the least amount of powerplays (138).

“We’ve got to get our powerplay going for sure. That’s a big part of it. The powerplay can be so important, especially in some of the tight games. We don't really get a lot of powerplays, we only get a few. But with that, you got to be ready when you do have the opportunity," said Eichel.

Overall, the Golden Knights have taken a step in the right direction coming back from break. They will need this scoring surge from not just Eichel, but from the rest of the team in the stretch run without Stone as they look to not miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second straight season.

Confidence levels have drastically shifted and are now on the side of the VGK, and they will need to us this as an advantage.

“When you start feeling good, you're gonna hold on the pucks a little bit longer and make some plays and feel a bit more confident. That's kind of where I'm at. I think I'm always trying to work on my game and in practice and watch things and get better,” said Eichel.

The Golden Knights will play the San Jose Sharks at 7:00 p.m. at home on Thurdsay.