Golden Knights eliminated from playoff contention; injuries costly

The Vegas Golden Knights failed to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since joining the NHL as an expansion team in 2017-18.

Vegas (42-31-8) was eliminated from contention with a 4-3 shootout loss at the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday.
Here is a look at what happened in the 2021-22 season for the Golden Knights and why things could be better next season:

The Skinny

Potential unrestricted free agents:
Jake Bischoff
, D; Mattias Janmark, F; Reilly Smith, F
Potential restricted free agents: Nicolas Hague, D; Brett Howden, C; Keegan Kolesar, F; Nicolas Roy, F
Potential 2022 Draft picks: 6

What went wrong

Injuries: Many players have been limited to far less than a full schedule, most notably forwards Mark Stone (36 games) and Max Pacioretty (38), defensemen Alec Martinez (25), and goalie Robin Lehner (44). The Golden Knights acquired center Jack Eichel from the Buffalo Sabres on Nov. 4, but he had neck surgery Nov. 12, didn't debut until Feb. 16 and has scored 22 points (12 goals, 10 assists) in 33 games.
Fleury trade: The Golden Knights traded Marc-Andre Fleury, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner, voted as top goalie in the NHL, to the Chicago Blackhawks on July 27. They put their trust in Lehner, who was younger (30 instead of 36), less expensive ($5 million average annual value instead of $7 million), locked up longer (through 2024-25 instead of 2021-22) and elite at his best (a Vezina finalist with the New York Islanders in 2018-19). In and out of the lineup with injuries, Lehner was 23-17-2 with a 2.83 goals-against average, .907 save percentage and one shutout. Vegas announced Monday he would have season-ending shoulder surgery.
Special teams: The power play was an emphasis after the Golden Knights were 22nd in the NHL (17.8 percent) last season and last (9.3 percent) in the 2021 playoffs, including 0-for-15 in a six-game loss to the Montreal Canadiens in the Stanley Cup Semifinals. It hasn't improved enough this season at 18.1 percent, 24th in the NHL. The penalty kill is at 78.1 percent, 21st in the NHL.

Reasons for optimism

Health: Vegas was expected to be a Stanley Cup contender this season. Virtually the entire roster is signed through at least next season. If this group heals in the offseason and comes back close to intact, why wouldn't the Golden Knights be considered Stanley Cup contenders again?
No. 1 center: Eichel put up pretty good numbers considering he had surgery, hadn't played in almost a year and joined a new team midseason. Imagine how much better he will be next season, after this adjustment period and a full offseason of training. He can be the No. 1 center Vegas has lacked.
Still on schedule: Before the Golden Knights joined the NHL, owner Bill Foley set a goal of making the playoffs in three years and winning the Stanley Cup in six. Vegas made the postseason in each of its first four seasons, advancing to the Stanley Cup Final in 2018 and the third round in 2020 and 2021. That raised expectations. This season was a disappointment, but it could turn out to be an anomaly. Foley's goal can still be reached.