• Hockey Recap
  • Posts
  • Eichel thriving in first shot at NHL playoffs

Eichel thriving in first shot at NHL playoffs

Connor Bedard makes history sweeping CHL awards, Florida and Vegas owners pledge $100k to veterans, and more.

Author

Brandon Rubeo
June 05, 2023

Good morning and happy Monday, June 5th.

Friday’s poll participants were all over it with 63.33% of voters predicting a Vegas game 1 victory; nicely done!

Today’s lineup:

  • Eichel crushing 1st playoff opportunity

  • Connor Bedard makes CHL history

  • Florida and Vegas owners pledge $100k to veterans

  • 👇 And a lot more

Eichel Thriving in First Shot at NHL Playoffs

Members of the NHL community no longer have to wonder what kind of playoff performer Jack Eichel could be.

The 26-year-old Eichel, playing in the postseason for the first time, has been a primary reason why the Vegas Golden Knights have a chance to take charge of the Stanley Cup Final by winning Game 2 tonight.

He’s leading Vegas with 20 points and excelling in all areas of the game. He’s +11, which is an accurate reflection of both his offensive and defensive play.

"A complete package," Golden Knights forward Jonathan Marchessault said on Sunday. "He's a force offensively, but he also does a good job defensively. You see in the last minute of (Game 1) he strips the puck for Reilly (Smith) to get an empty-net goal. He just does it all for us."

He’s been a dominant force all over the ice. Eichel’s tough checking made him hard to play against. And his speed is elite.

“(Eichel) has a great stick. We talk about [Mark Stone's] stick, but Jack has a great stick, too, and he steals a lot of pucks."

He’s doing all of the things he never had the chance to do when he played for the Buffalo Sabres. Eichel played six seasons there without ever making the postseason. The Sabres haven’t made the playoffs for 12 years.

Tonight’s Game 2 looms large because players from both teams understand the historical significance of a team taking a 2-0 lead in the series. The Golden Knights won Game 1.

Teams that claim a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Stanley Cup Final go on to win the Cup 90.6% (48-5) of the time. The 2011 Boston Bruins and the 2009 Pittsburgh Penguins are the only teams over the past 50 years to overcome a 2-0 deficit to win a Stanley Cup Final.

The Golden Knights have started at home and teams that start a Stanley Cup Final with a 2-0 lead at home have won the Cup 92.7% of the time. They have gone on to win the Stanley Cup 38 times in 41 series.

POLL 🗳️

Who wins game 2 tonight?

Place your prediction 🔮

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

CAN’T MISS

🏆 Connor Bedard makes history, sweeps CHL awards. The 17-year-old phenom became the first player in Canadian Hockey League history to sweep the Player of the Year, Top Prospect, and Top Scorer awards Saturday night at the Memorial Cup. The Regina Pats star collected 71 goals and 72 assists in 57-regular season game and added 10 goals and 10 assists in 7 playoff games this season.

MEME OF THE DAY

Adin Hill’s save Saturday night was a true piece of art…

In case you missed the save…

TRIVIA

Who leads the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs in plus-minus headed into game 2 tonight?

QUICK HITS

COACHES CORNER

TRIVIA ANSWER

Jonathan Marchessault’s +14 currently leads all playoff skaters headed into game 2 tonight.

How was today's newsletter?

Your feedback helps us create the best Hockey Recap possible

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Reply

or to participate.