(Photo Credit: TNT)

It took two periods to really get going, but then, lightning struck twice inside of four minutes for the Golden Knights’ new mega top line.

 

 

The first strike came just over five minutes into the 3rd period with the score still tied at three. Barbashev retreated into his own zone to collect a puck from Adin Hill while every other player on the ice changed behind him. He took the open ice and slalomed through the neutral zone. At the blue line, Barbashev fed a puck out to Marner on the right wing, and he calmly drew in two Kings (Byfield and Anderson,) which opened up space on the other side for Eichel. A pass through the seam gave Eichel a look from 37 feet away, and he unleashed a bomb that no goalie is stopping.

It’s Eichel’s movement that really makes this play. Of course, Barbashev’s ability to transport the puck through the neutral zone opens everything up, but Eichel’s subtle movement away from the center of the ice opens up the space for Marner to fit the pass through. In this spot, players, especially centers, are taught to drive directly towards the front of the goal, but instead, Eichel purposely lags his path into the zone to take the open space on the left point. Once Marner gets into a passing position, he moves towards the slot, and elite talent from both takes over from there.

 

 

It’s a beautiful goal that required elite play from all three players.

And that was just the first one.

 

 

The second one starts with a poor rim from Brian Dumoulin trying to get the puck to the opposite point to Cody Ceci. Marner reads the play quickly and collects the puck along the wall in his own zone. On the ensuing rush, because of their positioning when the puck turns over, all three of Eichel, Marner, and Barbashev are occupying uncommon roles. Marner is the left wing with the puck, Barbashev is the center, and Eichel has taken up the right wing.

Marner uses his speed to back Ceci off at the blue line and then delays a bit to pull Byfield towards him. This opens up a pass to Barbashev, who is now with Eichel in a 2-on-1 with forward Alex Laferriere as the lone man back. Barbashev gives it off to Eichel, continues towards the goal with his stick on the ice, and Eichel puts it on a platter for the easy finish.

 

 

There are a few constants on both goals: speed, spacing, and Mitch Marner’s vision. Both begin with rushes up the ice, catching the Kings retreating. Both involve perfect use of the open ice to create passing lanes, and both see Marner drop a beautiful pass to set up the chance.

If you weren’t excited about the possibility of these three players before this game, it’s impossible not to be now.