(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

The Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup champion head coach knew before Game 4 he might have to dip into his bag of tricks. He had days to think about it, he answered multiple questions between games on it, and he even made a last-minute lineup change (Pearson for Olofsson) to prepare for it. Then, when his team needed it most, he pulled out a line combination he hadn’t used in his three seasons behind the Vegas bench.

If we need Jack and Karlsson on the same line against their top line because they are so good, then that’s ok, we’ll do that. I’ve told you many times I’ve thought any line can play against them but if we have to go away from that then we’ll go away from that. -Bruce Cassidy

Jack Eichel and William Karlsson hopped over the boards for a shift to begin the 3rd period, and they stuck together through the pivotal overtime that may have just saved VGK’s season. This season, Eichel and Karlsson shared the ice at 5-on-5 for just 4:55. They’ve only been on the ice at the same time for 21:34 in the last three seasons.

But, three years ago, near the end of the season the Golden Knights were fighting for their playoff lives, Vegas’ top two centers played together with Jonathan Marchessault on the wing. Pete DeBoer was looking for ideas with his team fielding a roster without Mark Stone, Reilly Smith, Max Pacioretty, and Michael Amadio. Eichel recently returned from his neck injury and was still trying to find his way as a Golden Knight. The trio played six straight games together, as VGK went 2-4-0, and were the team was shut out in consecutive games before they were broken apart.

Simply put, it didn’t work. Eichel, Karlsson, and Marchessault combined for just three goals and seven points in the six games. They played together one more time that season, a shootout loss to Chicago that officially ended the season, and the line went -2 against one of the worst teams in the league.

This time, matched up with Pavel Dorofeyev, in the most important periods of the season, it went a bit better. In 12:10 during Game 4, Eichel and Karlsson outshot their opponents 19-7, they landed eight shots on goal to their opponents’ four, and they generated 68% of the expected goal share.

However, they were on the ice for the only goal the Wild scored after Cassidy switched up the lines, again, against the Minnesota top line. Cassidy, though, saw enough that the plan is to keep the pair together to begin Game 5, or at least that’s what he’s saying right now.

I’m going to talk to the players and see what I think, because it’s too short of a schedule right now. Now it’s about winning one game, Tuesday. So we’re going to stick with that for at least today. *Laughing* Today’s over, so we’ll see tomorrow. -Cassidy

The trickle down in the lineup leaves the Golden Knights with a top-nine that has played a total of 10 minutes and 20 seconds together this season. They spent more time on the ice together just in the overtime period than they did this entire year. It’s risky, but Cassidy has been here before, and typically his solutions work.

Sometimes when you change lines it gets people’s attention and it frees them up. The players could tell you why. I think most coaches do it at times when they don’t like what they see. -Cassidy

The game film from Game 4 gives some hope for why Eichel and Karlsson may unlock each other’s offensive game. Karlsson’s speed on the outside is noticeable in just about every offensive chance they got. Plus, the speedy center known for his defensive work isn’t afraid to go to the front of the goal with some of his defensive responsibility being handled by Eichel.

Karl’s such a great player and he’s super easy to play with. I thought we did a good job of just getting some looks off the cycle and creating some offense and trying to keep them off the scoresheet as well. Just using our speed and trying to attack when we have the opportunity and reading off each other. Both of us are natural-born centermen which gives us the ability to take faceoffs on both sides and help each other out when need be down low. He’s such a great skater that he can create a lot of stuff through the neutral zone by himself. -Jack Eichel

To help the Golden Knights win Game 5, Eichel and Karlsson not only have to score, but with the game at home, they’re also likely to draw the bulk of the defensive responsibility against the Minnesota top line of Kirill Kaprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Matt Boldy. Success on both ends of the ice will be the only way forward for the Golden Knights in the biggest game of the season.

If it works, Cassidy will look like a genius. If it doesn’t, it could be the downfall of the 2024-25 Golden Knights.