Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Eichel, Cotter look to keep Golden Knights rolling vs. Kings

Originally posted on Las Vegas Chronicle
By Colton Pankiw | Last updated 1/7/23

The first place Golden Knights host the second place Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in just their second game since the return of Jack Eichel and Paul Cotter. Both returning Golden Knights were big contributors in Thursday’s 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins and will look to do the same against the Kings.

It’s safe to say Eichel didn’t disappoint in his return. The 26-year-old Eichel had been out of the lineup for nearly a month due to a lower-body injury, but didn’t appear to have missed any time at all as he notched a goal and two assists in just over 18 minutes of ice time in the 5-2 win.

Eichel: I thought we played a really good game tonight against a good team. pic.twitter.com/CktrafrT2F
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) January 6, 2023

“I was just excited to get back out there. You never like watching games,” Eichel said postgame. “I thought we played a really good game tonight against a good team. We got out to the lead. I thought (Adin Hill) played great in the second. Obviously they had a flurry of chances and he kept it out of reach. We were able to get that next goal, and I thought we played well.”

With the three point outing, Eichel now has an impressive 14 goals and 32 points in 28 games on the season. He was able to help the Golden Knights to their 27th win of the season, which has resulted in them having a six point lead in the Pacific Division.

Cotter, who had missed eight games with an upper-body injury, was also able to contribute in a big way, notching a goal and an assist in just over 13 minutes of ice time. The two-point outing improved his season totals to five goals and eight points in 28 games.

With each player now having a game under their belts off of injury, Eichel and Cotter both will look to continue their great play into Saturday night’s tilt against the Pacific Division’s second best team in the Los Angeles Kings.

This article first appeared on Las Vegas Chronicle and was syndicated with permission.

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