Stephenson proving his value as Golden Knights beat Wild

By Justin Emerson

Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019 | 11 p.m.

When the Golden Knights acquired Chandler Stephenson two weeks ago, he immediately slotted onto the fourth line. He was a depth pickup, so went the narrative, pushed not only by certain beat reporters but also the team’s general manager. He had just four points in 24 games with the Capitals, after all. He couldn’t reasonably be expected to play a big role and score big goals.

A funny thing happened, though. Cody Eakin was hurt right before the trade and Cody Glass went down not long after. Suddenly Stephenson wasn’t just a depth forward, but someone playing top-six minutes alongside arguably the team’s two best wingers.

Stephenson scored his third goal as a Golden Knight in Tuesday’s 3-2 win over the Minnesota Wild at T-Mobile Arena, which was also his fifth point in eight games to surpass his total in Washington. He’s gelled with Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty to help Vegas win three in a row and eight of its last 11 games.

“I like what he’s doing. I’m not going to say I didn’t have really expectations. I know he’s a good hockey player,” coach Gerard Gallant said. “He’s got an opportunity because of some injuries to go up and play with some key guys, and he’s played real well.”

Stone and Pacioretty have been dynamite together regardless of who the center is. In 323:30 if 5-on-5 ice time this season, the Golden Knights have generated 58.7% of the shot attempts, 62.9% of the expected goals and 60.5% of scoring chances with Stone and Pacioretty but not Stephenson on the ice.

Those numbers differ in 60:46 with Stephenson as their center, but not by much: 56.5% of the shot attempts, 64.2% of the expected goals and 66.1% of the scoring chances. Seemingly Pacioretty and Stone are good enough to lift whichever center is playing, as you can plug in anyone and the numbers stay more or less the same. It’s been Stephenson’s turn the last eight games, and it’s worked.

“You see how versatile he is being able to play up and down the lineup. I think he’s played at least three different lines and three different roles,” Pacioretty said. “You’re not going to have the same role being on the first line, second line, third line or fourth line for that matter. But his speed is what sticks out to me. … Definitely helps that he has those wheels. Big reason why our line has had a lot of success is that he’s been able to skate and skate that well.”

Pacioretty pointed to his goal as a result of speed. In the second period he skated down the right wing with Stone on the left with Wild defenseman Ryan Suter between them. Stone forced goalie Alex Stalock onto the post on his side, then waited out Suter and got the puck to Stephenson. Never breaking stride allowed Stephenson to stay a step ahead of center Luke Johnson, collect the puck and beat Stalock.

“It would have been easy for him to kind of just go in on the 2-on-1 and not go back post as hard as he can,” Pacioretty said. “But he made a great skill play and a great finish as well.”

Odds are that Stephenson isn’t a second-line forward all year long. His hot streak harkens memories of Brandon Pirri last year, when Pirri scored seven goals in his first eight games last December and was waived within 11 months. Once Glass and Eakin come back, one of them or Paul Stastny figures to return to centering Stone and Pacioretty, bumping Stephenson lower in the lineup, which by virtue of not playing with elite wingers, could diminish his scoring chances.

But right now, Stephenson is just what the Golden Knights need. He’s already more productive in two weeks than he was in two months with his old team, and he’s been up to the task of playing with Vegas’ two highest-paid forwards.

“They’re some of the best players in the league, so just trying to be myself as much as I can, not trying to change too much or reinvent my game,” Stephenson said. “Be myself and try to help them out as much as they help me.”