RALEIGH, N.C. — It took five games for Jack Eichel to make his presence felt in the Stanley Cup Final.
He showed up on time and played his best game of the series in Game 5, recording two assists and leading the way to getting the Vegas Golden Knights on the board first.
But even Eichel’s best performance in a tied series wasn’t enough. The Knights lost 4-2 to the Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center and now sit one loss away from their playoff run coming to an end.
“We’re a resilient group,” Eichel said. “Our sole focus now is preparing for Game 6, going home in a must-win situation.”
Their season on the line, the Knights are going to need Eichel to do more of the same in Game 6 at 5 p.m. on Sunday at T-Mobile Arena.
Throw in the likelihood that the Knights won’t have center William Karlsson (arm) the rest of the way, it’s more defensive responsibility on Eichel’s shoulders, on top of needing to break through offensively.
Matchup nightmare
Eichel entered Thursday with just two assists and no goals to his name. He didn’t look comfortable in Games 1 and 2 against Carolina captain Jordan Staal’s line.
The matchup favored Eichel when the series shifted to Las Vegas, but the impact still wasn’t there. The dominant puck handler that’s there when entering the neutral zone wasn’t there.
He had the game on his stick three times in the third period of Game 4. One rang off the crossbar. Another just high over the bar. The third, he cut to the net after a faceoff, only for goaltender Brandon Bussi to make a pad save.
“You reflect on the game a little bit, both personally and as a team, and try and make the adjustments that you feel you maybe need to make and things that’ll improve your team’s game and your own game,” Eichel said. “It’s important to understand what hurt you, what made you successful, those sort of things.”
Eichel wasn’t short on chances. But when the puck doesn’t go in this time of year, whether it by way of scoring or passing, eyes turn to the star players in times like this.
“I’m not worried about Jack,” coach John Tortorella said the morning of Game 5. “If there’s one guy that gets it and accepts responsibility, he does.”
Another level?
Eichel said on Thursday morning that he felt his game was “OK.” He also felt he could’ve been better than what he’s been.
A tied series was an ideal situation for Eichel to take over. Through the first 14 minutes Thursday, he did that. His speed broke down Carolina’s defense for the first time. He made plays like the masses are accustomed to seeing.
“I’m probably my hardest critic,” Eichel said. “I always believe I can play better and do more and contribute more. That’s kind of how I think now.”
For all the good Eichel provided in the first, the Knights came unraveled in the second.
Back-to-back minor penalties from defensemen Jeremy Lauzon and Brayden McNabb put the Knights on the kill for four minutes. The Knights killed the first power play, but Carolina’s Andrei Svechnikov scored 59 seconds into the second to give the Hurricanes a lead they wouldn’t lose.
Even down two in the third period, in a series defined by multi-goal comebacks, the Knights were swimming up stream because of penalties.
Eichel was called for tripping, followed by a double minor high-sticking on captain Mark Stone.
Hardest worker in the room
It’s not for a lack of trying for Eichel. He’s always been one of the last players to hop off the ice after a practice or morning skate. If the skate is optional occupied by mostly non-game players, Eichel will stay on the ice getting his extra touches.
Even the day of Game 5, in a cramped visitor’s locker room at Lenovo Center, Eichel was one of the last to trickle in. More than 30 reporters, TV cameras and microphones swelled toward his locker. He stood and answered questions, not hiding from the moment.
“He prepares probably more than anyone I know,” defenseman Shea Theodore said. “A lot that goes unseen, that’s for sure. It’s no secret how he’s gotten to his level and his level of play.”
But if the Knights are going to make one more trip to Raleigh for a Game 7, they’re going to need Eichel to do it one more time, especially with Karlsson out of the question. They’re going to need the Eichel that dominated in the first period, and extend it for the entirety of the game.
He’s gotten by having not scored a goal since Game 2 of the Western Conference Final. The series has been close to where one of those chances could change the tide of the series.
Eichel is the franchise player. It’s on his shoulders to deliver in Game 6.
“We don’t want to keep talking about chances,” Tortorella said. “We do need him to score. We do need him to lead the way, but he’ll accept the responsibility. Good time for him right now.”
Contact Danny Webster at dwebster@reviewjournal.com. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.
Up next
Who: Hurricanes at Golden Knights
What: Stanley Cup Final, Game 6 (Hurricanes lead 3-2)
When: 5 p.m. Sunday
Where: T-Mobile Arena
TV: ABC
Radio: KFLG 94.7 FM/KKGK 1340 AM
Line: Even; total 6
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Stanley Cup Final schedule
Game 1: Knights 5, Hurricanes 4
Game 2: Hurricanes 4, Knights 3 (OT)
Game 3: Knights 5, Hurricanes 4 (2OT)
Game 4: Hurricanes 5, Knights 3
Game 5: Hurricanes 4, Knights 2
Game 6: Sunday, 5 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena, KTNV-TV (Channel 13)
*Game 7: June 17, 5 p.m. at Lenovo Center, KTNV-TV (Channel 13)
*if necessary
