{"id":446962,"date":"2024-08-01T09:30:58","date_gmt":"2024-08-01T13:30:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=446962"},"modified":"2024-08-01T07:54:59","modified_gmt":"2024-08-01T11:54:59","slug":"victor-olofsson-potential-vegas-golden-knights-top-line","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/08\/01\/victor-olofsson-potential-vegas-golden-knights-top-line\/","title":{"rendered":"Victor Olofsson\u2019s Potential on Vegas Golden Knights Top Line"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s a little over two months until the Vegas Golden Knights<\/a> start their 2024-25 season. They kick it off October 9th against the Colorado Avalanche<\/a> at T-Mobile Arena or, more affectionately known as, the Fortress<\/em>. So, anyone guessing line combinations in the teeth of summer should be taken with a backpack full of salt. But news that new Golden Knight<\/a> Victor Olofsson<\/a> is projected<\/a> to start the season on the top line is cause for hope. How much? Well, that could be found looking back at his breakout 2019-20 season in Buffalo.<\/span><\/p>\n

Victor Olofsson and Jack Eichel Reunited, and It Feels So Good in Vegas<\/h3>\n

It makes logical sense to start with the connection between then and now: Jack Eichel<\/a>. The two of them were together on the ice for the majority of that Covid-shortened season, outside<\/a> of a lower-body issue for Olofsson. Both of them posted 20+ goal seasons off nearly identical shooting percentages. It stands to reason that this kind of mutual production would\u2019ve continued the following season. Eichel was on track for a 57 point season in 2020-21 before his neck injury and the Bravo-level drama<\/a><\/em> that filtered from it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ever since Eichel\u2019s arrived in Vegas, the wingers paired with him end up hitting new levels offensively. Take Jonathan Marchessault<\/a>, for example. Two of his three best scoring seasons (2021-22 and 2023-24) came with Eichel on the top line. Also, Chandler Stephenson<\/a> had his two best scoring seasons (2021-22 and 2022-23) with Jack Eichel as his linemate. That\u2019s a pattern Bruce Cassidy<\/a> and Kelly McCrimmon are crossing their fingers would hold up with Victor Olofsson.<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s another feature that could benefit from this line, and that is the team\u2019s power play. It\u2019s no secret that the Golden Knights power play hasn\u2019t lit up the league in the regular season. Compare the last three seasons in power play percentage rank for VGK.<\/span><\/p>\n