Golden Knights Weather a Murky November, Lean on Three Standouts to Stay in the Fight
For much of November, the Vegas Golden Knights found themselves in a strange spot-still in the playoff picture, but not exactly inspiring confidence. The defending champs had their moments, but they also had their stumbles. Injuries, frustrating penalties, and the ever-annoying overtime losses piled up like snow on the Strip (okay, not literally-but you get the point).
Still, despite the turbulence, Vegas entered this week in a playoff position with a shot-however slim-at climbing to the top of the Pacific Division. That would’ve required some help from the St. Louis Blues and Washington Capitals, but hey, stranger things have happened in hockey.
So, where do the Golden Knights really stand after a puzzling November? Are they still the juggernaut that lifted the Cup last season, or are the cracks starting to show?
The truth is, it's still unclear. Advanced metrics like those from MoneyPuck remain bullish on Vegas, but anyone watching night in and night out knows this team has been far from perfect.
The loser point has been a saving grace more than once. But if there’s one thing that helped keep the Golden Knights on track, it’s the standout play of a few key contributors.
Let’s take a closer look at three players who carried the load in November and gave Vegas fans reasons to stay optimistic.
1. Shea Theodore - The Quiet Storm Returns
Coming into November, Shea Theodore wasn’t exactly lighting up the scoresheet. With just five assists to his name, he was flying under the radar. But that changed in a hurry.
Theodore turned up the heat over the month, notching three goals and six assists-including a three-assist night against the Utah Mammoth on November 20. It was a reminder of just how dynamic he can be when he’s dialed in.
What makes Theodore so valuable isn’t just his ability to move the puck or quarterback a power play-it’s his knack for creating second chances. He’s long been one of the best on the team at generating rebounds and putting pressure on opposing defenses. November was a return to form, and if he keeps this up, Vegas’ blue line becomes that much more dangerous.
2. Tomas Hertl - Power Play Catalyst
Tomas Hertl may be new to the Golden Knights, but he’s already making himself at home. The veteran center was one of the team’s most consistent offensive threats in November, racking up six goals and three assists.
What really stands out, though, is how he’s energized the power play. Heading into this week, Vegas boasted the NHL’s seventh-best man advantage (24.1%), and Hertl’s fingerprints were all over it. He contributed two goals and two assists on the power play last month, helping turn what had been a middling unit into a legitimate weapon.
Hertl’s blend of size, skill, and hockey IQ makes him a matchup problem, especially down low. He’s giving Vegas another layer of scoring depth, and that’s exactly what they’ll need as the season grinds on.
3. Jack Eichel - Heating Up at the Right Time
Jack Eichel didn’t exactly come flying out of the gate in November. By his standards, five assists through the first few games felt a bit underwhelming. But then came the game against Utah on November 20, and everything changed.
Eichel exploded for two goals and an assist in that matchup, and he didn’t look back. He closed out the month with three goals and 10 assists, reasserting himself as the offensive engine of this team.
What’s more, Eichel is once again on pace for a 100-point season-projected to finish with 36 goals and 69 assists (105 points). That would make him the first Golden Knight to hit the century mark and would break his own franchise record for assists in a season (66).
Eichel’s ability to control the pace of play, find seams in the defense, and elevate those around him makes him indispensable. When he’s rolling, the Golden Knights are a different beast.
The Road Ahead
November may not have answered every question about the Golden Knights, but it did reveal something important: this team still has the firepower to stay in the fight. Whether it’s Theodore rediscovering his rhythm, Hertl making his presence felt on special teams, or Eichel reminding everyone why he’s one of the league’s elite centers, there are plenty of reasons to believe Vegas can weather the storm.
The Pacific Division is tight, and the margin for error is razor-thin. But if these three keep playing at this level-and if the rest of the roster can stay healthy and find some consistency-the Golden Knights will be right where they want to be come spring.
For now, they’ll take the points, take the progress, and keep pushing forward.