The Vegas Golden Knights are facing a challenging period after goalie Adin Hill suffered an injury in their 4-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Hill left the game after a third-period save and was replaced by Logan Thompson. Although the team now embarks on a critical four-game road trip, additional support is needed. The Knights have recalled goalie Jiri Patera from the Henderson Silver Knights in response.
Hill’s injury came at an inopportune time as the Golden Knights held a four-point lead over the St. Louis Blues for the final Western Conference wild-card spot. With Hill sidelined, the pressure is now put on Patera and Thompson. Patera, aged 25, previously played five NHL games this season, with one win and three losses. He allowed 16 goals and posted a.901 save percentage. Thompson, who replaced Hill during the win over the Blue Jackets, allowed one goal in that victory.
The road trip will be an important period for the Golden Knights as they will face playoff rivals, including the Blues, the Nashville Predators, the Minnesota Wild, and the Winnipeg Jets. As of now, the Knights trail the Predators by five points for the first wild card and also trail the LA Kings by two points for third place. A difficult playoff matchup awaits whether the Knights land in third place or wild card.
The Knights have shown resilience recently, winning three of their last four games and outplaying the Tampa Bay Lightning in their only loss. However, the injury to Hill, who posted a .914 save percentage this season with an 18-10-2 record, could potentially impact their performance in the upcoming games.
Despite the setback, the Golden Knights are committed to maintaining their playoff position and overcoming the challenges ahead. The recall of Patera is testament to the team’s depth and readiness to adapt to changing circumstances. The Knights, under coach Bruce Cassidy, continue to work on their defensive issues and remain focused on their upcoming games.
