Blackhawks At Golden Knights: 3 Keys To The Game

This is not how it was supposed to be when the Chicago Blackhawks arrived at T-Mobile Arena in February.
The Blackhawks, three-time Stanley Cup winners in this decade and the model NHL franchise, were supposed to be in first place. As usual.
The Golden Knights, the expansion upstarts, were supposed to be outside the playoff picture. As expansion teams usually are.
Instead the roles have been reversed.
The Golden Knights (36-15-4) lead the Pacific Division, while the Blackhawks (24-24-8) are last in the Central Division, 10 points out of a playoff spot.
Although both are coming into tonight following disappointing losses - Vegas fell to Philadelphia, 4-1, on Sunday and Chicago was thumped by the last place Arizona Coyotes last night, 6-1.
Tonight's game starts at 7:00 PM at T-Mobile Arena.
Here are three keys to the game.

1. Get Back In Gear
When the Golden Knights lost to the Flyers on Sunday, they had a massive 39-18 shots advantage. Although head coach Gerard Gallant was unhappy, insisting that the 39 shots Vegas mustered were not of the quality he expects, while Philadelphia's 18 were often of the Grade A variety.
Also creeping into the picture was the way that teams across the league often struggle in their first games at home after lengthy road trips. Nobody in the Golden Knights' locker room used this as an excuse, although this was cited as a possible factor in the team's setback.
In short, Sunday wasn't Vegas' night. The Golden Knights didn't muster the sort of effort they usually do, and were out of sorts.
With the next six games being played at home (five of which against teams currently not in the playoffs), Vegas has a chance to do some real damage over the next few weeks.
Part of tonight's game will be shaking off the rust they showed on Sunday.

2. Blackhawks Reeling
The Arizona Coyotes have not had a good season. That's why they entered last night have won only 13 of 55 games all season.
And last night, they absolutely smacked Chicago, 6-1. For the Blackhawks, this may have been the low point of what's been a disappointing season that is threatening to see them outside of the playoffs for the first time in a decade.
The Blackhawks have currently lost six games in a row.
But when a team still has the likes of Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith, you know there's a heart of a champion in there somewhere. Where even if the Blackhawks arrive in Vegas tonight on probably their worst streak of the last 10 years, you know that players with this level of pride don't go quietly into the night.
Or will they?
The Blackhawks are on such a rock bottom streak, but it seems very unlikely that they'll just pack it in for the rest of the season. Coming off of an embarrassing loss last night, it begs the question as to if this rebound effort from a modern day dynasty comes tonight.
Vegas has to be ready.

3. Crawford Missed Badly
The Blackhawks' struggles began almost immediately after starting goalie Corey Crawford went down to injury in late December. He had a 16-9-2 record and sterling .929 save percentage, which if he continued at that rate would've definitely had Chicago in a playoff spot right now.
In his absence, the Blackhawks' goaltending has been woeful.
Anton Forsberg, a 25-year-old who had played only five NHL games before this season, is 5-10-3, with a bloated 3.05 goals-against average.
Jeff Glass, a 32-year-old who never played in the NHL before this season, is 3-5-3 with a save percentage below .900. He took the loss when Vegas won in Chicago in early January.
Whichever of these goalies starts tonight is having a rough year. If Vegas musters enough scoring chances, it should be able to break through.
Key will be doing this early, to keep either of these struggling goalies from generating confidence.