The latest rematch of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final has the Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers headed in opposite directions.

Through seven games, the Golden Knights have remained unbeaten in regulation and are riding a four-game winning streak, including a 4-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Oct. 20. Meanwhile, the Panthers have slowed considerably after a strong start, dropping five of their last six games. While both sides have been ravaged with injury, the Golden Knights have clearly been better at handling the current issue.

This has been in large part due to their league-leading offense, lighting up opposing teams to the tune of 4.29 goals per game. The offensive explosion has been lead by forward Jack Eichel, currently leading the NHL with 16 points (six goals, 10 assists).

“It’s a lot of fun being his teammate, seeing him day in, day out, how good of a player he actually is, you get to appreciate that,” said Golden Knights forward Brandon Saad, who hopped on Eichel’s line against the Hurricanes after the injury to Mark Stone. “The way he can explode around the ice with the puck, it doesn’t matter if there’s one, two, three guys on him. It’s just finding the open ice and he’s going to get you the puck.

The Golden Knights will be relying on Eichel and their offense to carry the day once again, but there are other storylines worth following as the team takes their show back on the road.

Big moments for big players

Eichel has typically been reliable on the ice, but the loss of Stone means players like him have to step up in a leadership role as well.

So far, the Golden Knights have found form in getting the puck to the back of the net. Outside of Eichel and Stone, four other players are currently working at point-per-game paces (Mitch Marner, Pavel Dorofeyev, Ivan Barbashev, Tomas Hertl).

However, head coach Bruce Cassidy now wants to see how his leadership core can adjust to the loss of their captain, especially with a tough road test ahead.

“I think Mitch can have a bigger voice,” said Cassidy. “I know he’s only been here for a month, but he does a lot of talking on the bench so he leads in his own way with his line.

I still think there’s lot of guys. Jack will always speak up. [Brett Howden]’s back in the lineup, him and [Keegan] Kolesar have been more vocal, it started last year. I think there’s enough guys there.”

Against the Hurricanes, for the second time this season, Akira Schmid had to step in and finish a game in lieu of Adin Hill.

Fortunately for the Golden Knights, Schmid was once again spectacular in relief, stopping 23 of 24 shots to help guide his team to a statement victory. It has been par for the course for Schmid so far this season, who has played well outside of a five-goal outing against the Boston Bruins.

“I want to hold down the fort until Hillsy’s back and give the team a chance to win every game,” said Schmid. “Just play well and enjoy it, as well.”

All around me are familiar faces

The history between Cassidy and Panthers forward Brad Marchand has been well-documented from their time with the Bruins, and the coach had no issue making light of the player’s emotional return to TD Garden for the first time since being traded at last season’s trade deadline.

“I saw him bawling his eyes out on TV. He’s such a smack-talker. He’s going to hear about that on Saturday,” Cassidy said on Wednesday.

However, the team will be better acquainted with a late addition to the Panthers lineup. Due to an injury of fourth-line center Luke Kunin, the Panthers have tabbed Cole Schwindt to make his season debut against his former club.

Last season with the Golden Knights, Schwindt appeared in 42 games and recorded eight points, including his first career NHL goal in the team’s final regular season game against the Vancouver Canucks.

“I’m obviously pumped,” said Schwindt, per Panthers reporter Jameson Olive. “Getting to come back and play in the arena that I played my first game in, it kind of feels like a full-circle moment. I’m really excited for it.”