Knights' and Capitals' top lines take very different routes to dominance
In order to make it to the Stanley Cup Final, a team's top players need to be its best players when things matter most. That's certainly been true for the Vegas Golden Knights and the Washington Capitals.
William Karlsson, Jonathan Marchessault, and Reilly Smith were sensational for the Golden Knights in the regular season, and haven't slowed in the playoffs. The same can be said for the Capitals' line of Evgeny Kuznetsov, Alex Ovechkin, and Tom Wilson. Both lines have carried a heavy load for their respective teams in the postseason so far.
| Line | % of G | % of A | % of PTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| VGK | 37.2 | 40.8 | 39.5 |
| WSH | 39.4 | 28.2 | 32.4 |
Marchessault, Smith, and Karlsson are first, second, and third on Vegas in playoff points, and the only three Golden Knights with double-digit points.
Meanwhile, Kuznetsov and Ovechkin are first and second in playoff points league-wide, while Wilson has 11 points despite serving a three-game suspension.
Both lines have proven crucial to the success of their teams, but what's really fascinating is the contrast between their styles of play.
Golden Knights
Karlsson, Marchessault, and Smith could be the quickest line in the NHL. Beyond pure speed, they all have outstanding agility, and are quick to pounce on loose pucks and apply pressure to opposing puck carriers. These three epitomize Vegas' team slogan of "play fast."
While their offensive creativity is well-known, this line doesn't get enough credit on the defensive side of the puck. Karlsson, Marchessault, and Smith finished first, third, and sixth, respectively, on the team in takeaways in the regular season, even though the latter missed 15 games. They're great at turning defense into offense, as evidenced here (with the help of a bad change).
When defense creates offense, it's quite beautiful. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/HqzPsfOVWH
- NHL (@NHL) May 15, 2018
Nobody on this line was a household name heading into the season, but it's no fluke that they're all simultaneously enjoying career years. They played together virtually all season long, building outstanding chemistry - making three players with speed, skill, creativity, and high motors even more dangerous.
Capitals
The Capitals have a more traditional top line in the sense of a playmaker in the middle (Kuznetsov), a sniper on one wing (Ovechkin), and a hulking power forward on the other (Wilson). What sets them apart is the fact they all play their roles to perfection.
Kuznetsov loves having the puck on his stick and is great at carrying the play from his own zone into the attacking end. He has slick hands and great vision, and he's very smart.
Ovechkin's famous shot is arguably the best of all time, and he can unleash a rocket from anywhere, as seen below.
Pretty good first shift for the first line... #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/hRbl7C7zGv
- Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 24, 2018
Lastly, Wilson may be the most feared hitter in the game. Sometimes he goes over the top and takes penalties, but that type of recklessness strikes fear into the opposition. He and Ovechkin - no slouch physically either - have been human wrecking balls this postseason, ranking first and second in hits.
Having two of the most gifted offensive players in the game (Kuznetsov, Ovechkin) on a line that also boasts two of the most physical (Ovechkin, Wilson) makes the unit an absolute nightmare to defend.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
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