The Vegas Golden Knights might have their hands full in their Western Conference Finals matchup with the Winnipeg Jets. The Golden Knights were rumored to have gotten involved in the Derick Brassard sweepstakes to assist the Pittsburgh Penguins in acquiring the veteran center instead of the rival Jets. However, Winnipeg countered by acquiring veteran Paul Stastny instead, a move that surprised many. That trade has paid dividends, according to NBC Sports Scott Billeck.
The 32-year-old center, who will be a unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, is definitely increasing his stock with a solid playoff performance. While combining to put up a solid 16 goals and 37 assists this year between St. Louis and Winnipeg, he’s dominated in the playoffs with six goals and eight assists for 14 points in just 12 games.
However, the bigger recipients of the deal might be his linemates, youngsters Patrik Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers, two of the team’s top prospects, who have really benefitted by his presence. Laine has 10 points in 12 games, while Ehlers has six assists this postseason serving on the team’s third line. Stastny, who is nicknamed Mr. Game 7 even before Thursday, continued to keep his nickname with three points in Thursday’s Game 7 when they eliminated the Nashville Predators. Now Vegas will have to face that player.
- Steve Carp of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that the Vegas Golden Knights will be without winger William Carrier in Game 1 today against the Winnipeg Jets with an undisclosed injury. While Carrier’s numbers are hardly impressive, the 23-year-old is a key piece to the team’s fourth-line “energy” line. While he travelled with the team to Winnipeg making him a possibility for Game 2, Carrier already had missed Game 6 of their matchup with the San Jose Sharks. While head coach Gerard Gallant didn’t disclose who would replace him, he did say he was impressed with the performance of the fourth line in Game 6 against the Sharks, suggesting that Ryan Reaves might play today in Carrier’s place.
- While Tampa Bay Lightning fans may have had a scare when defenseman Anton Stralman and winger Cedric Paquette both missed practice this morning (via NHL.com’s Dan Rosen), both are considered good to go for Game 2 against the Washington Capitals in the Eastern Conference Finals on Sunday, according to FoxSports Caley Chelios. Stralman missed the first 10 minutes of the third period with an undisclosed injury Friday. Jake Dotchin and Cory Conacher filled in for the two players in practice, but likely will not be needed Sunday.