Where's Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin? It seems like the Vegas Golden Knights have their own version of "Where's Waldo," but with a Vegas twist.
These two stars have taken a detour to Miami instead of returning with the team. Thanks to some blizzard-like conditions in New York City, Team USA's flight had to change course, landing them in South Beach.
There's a chance Eichel and Hanifin will meet up with the Golden Knights in Washington D.C. and possibly attend President Donald Trump's State of the Union address. But Golden Knights fans are more concerned about the impact of not having Eichel on the ice, especially given his previous mysterious injury that sidelined him earlier in the season.
However, this situation isn’t as dire as it might seem. Fresh off winning a gold medal, Eichel's absence for a game might not spell disaster for the team.
The Golden Knights are set to face the Los Angeles Kings in the first of a five-game stretch. The Kings recently acquired Artemi Panarin, but Vegas is known for crafting strategies against top-tier players like him.
There's also an interesting twist for Wednesday’s matchup. While Shea Theodore's past injury might come to mind, the Kings have their own challenges, having lost Kevin Fiala to a season-ending injury. This loss is a significant blow to Los Angeles, potentially giving the Golden Knights an edge if they can contain Panarin.
As for Eichel and Hanifin, the Golden Knights have a 21-17-8 record without Eichel since his debut. While that might sound concerning, Vegas has other stars like Pavel Dorofeyev and the newly acquired Rasmus Andersson to step up in the interim.
If Eichel and Hanifin decide to wait until the team reaches Washington D.C. on Friday, it’s likely a smart move. Traveling long distances can be exhausting, so a little rest could be beneficial in the long run. The Golden Knights are well-equipped to handle this temporary absence, and fans should be optimistic about the team's depth and resilience.