Eichel Says He Needs to Be Better for Vegas in Game 5

Jack Eichel knows the Stanley Cup Final hasn’t gone his way.

The Golden Knights center spoke after Thursday’s morning skate about his quiet series, and he didn’t dodge it. Eichel was asked about the chances he has been getting against Carolina:

“Ya, I’ve had a few chances so far in this series,” he said. “Obviously you want to see them go in, want myself to make a difference for the team, however that is, and knowing that I need to be better in order for us to win. So, ya, just trying to be better every game.”

Hear from Eichel and the rest of the Golden Knights before Game 5:

The numbers explain the frustration. Through the first 16 games of the playoffs, Eichel had 18 points and was plus-7, with his fingerprints all over the Vegas run to the Final. The last four games have been a different story. He has two assists and sits minus-3 with the series tied 2-2.

He came about as close as you can get in Game 4. Eichel’s bid to break a 3-3 tie early in the third period clanged off the crossbar behind Brandon Bussi. Less than four minutes later, Jordan Staal put Carolina ahead for good in a 5-3 win that evened the series.

Eichel has been here before. He won the Cup with Vegas in 2023, and he leaned on that when he talked about flushing the close calls.

“You always wanted to be better,” Eichel said. “I think that you’re always going to be your hardest critic. I think I’m my hardest critic. I always believe I can play better and do more and contribute more.”

Game 5 drops Thursday night in Raleigh:

If the Golden Knights are going to lift the Cup again, they need the version of Eichel that carried them through the first three rounds. He gets his next shot at it on the road with the series even.