Who have been the three best players in December for the Vegas Golden Knights? The list will surprise you.
Sadly, the Vegas Golden Knights and the rest of the NHL don't play on Christmas Day. If they did, you'd bet your bottom dollar Gary Bettman would try prying the holiday away from Roger Goodell and his never-ending love affair with Patrick Mahomes and ratings. But in all seriousness, it's a tragedy there's no hockey played on the holiday personifying coldness and snow.
While there might not be any hockey on Christmas (and probably never will), let's honor some Golden Knights who've taken over December. One particular name is Jack Eichel, who's tied for second in the NHL in assists with 36. But he also has eight assists in December, continuing a spectacular run towards career-high numbers.
His production has the Golden Knights atop the Pacific Division (49 points) and with the best points percentage in the NHL (.721). In a turbulent summer where numerous "experts" wrote off the Golden Knights because they lost Jonathan Marchessault and Chandler Stephenson, Eichel's elite play has spurred Vegas to the NHL mountaintop. In turn, fans are in the holiday spirit and opponents are getting coal in their stockings.
Who else has the most presents in December? Who's been on Santa's "nice" list compared to naughtier people like Evander Kane and a random guy named Josh Fitzpatrick? Without these three players, Christmas would be more awkward than before among the Vegas Golden Knights. Here are three names on the nice list for December.
Adin Hill
Adin Hill has been the glue that kept the Golden Knights together. He's posting a GAA of 2.00, a save percentage of .931, and a shutout in six games in December. In turn, the Golden Knights are 5-1-0 when he starts in December, making him a reliable starting goaltender.
The one outlier during the Christmas month was on December 14 against the Edmonton Oilers. Here, he allowed six goals on 34 shots, facing an endless barrage against Connor McDavid and company. However, the Oilers have also played better hockey in December, winning eight of 10 games during the Christmas month.
Plus, Hill already got a shutout on December 3rd against the Oilers. He stopped 28 shots, getting the Golden Knights another key win against a winning team. Some people might give Kelly McCrimmon flack for trading away Logan Thompson (2.40 GAA, .914 save percentage with the Washington Capitals). However, Thompson wanted a No. 1 gig elsewhere, paving the way for Hill to take the role on his own. So far, he's proving his worth by getting the Golden Knights 10 points in the Christmas month.
Mark Stone
When Mark Stone returned on December 6 against the Dallas Stars, the Golden Knights were starting a five-game gauntlet against teams in playoff positioning. They needed more firepower to keep up with the NHL's best teams. How were you beating teams with superstars like Jake Oettinger, Connor Hellebuyck, and Kirill Kaprizov?
Well, it seems the Captain came to save the day. Stone had four assists throughout that five-game stretch, with two on the power play. In turn, the Golden Knights get four wins during the five-game stretch, catapulting them to the top of the NHL hierarchy. On top of that, he has six assists in December.
Overall, Stone has six assists in the Christmas month, making him a valuable part of the offense. Of course, it goes beyond having seven goals and 28 points during the 2024-25 season. According to MoneyPuck, the 32-year-old averages 3.27 assists per 60 minutes with a 55% Corsi and 57% Fenwick. The forward has become the go-to player for getting the right shots, making him a reliable offensive weapon.
Shea Theodore
Shea Theodore is used to having quietly productive seasons. Last season, he notched 37 assists in 47 games, proving he can produce despite being injured. This year, he's picking up where he left off with 24 assists in 33 games.
However, he's having a solid December as well. Here, he scored three goals and seven assists, with four games constituting more than one point scored. He even scored two goals against the Anaheim Ducks on December 4, getting a crucial two points on the road.
The newly-extended Theodore also has a Corsi of 56%, a Fenwick of 56%, and has been on the ice for 61.8% of Vegas's goals. The defenseman has shown himself a reliable offensive option for the Golden Knights. He's created rebounds for his teammates and has incredible shot selection, leading Vegas to the top of the NHL.
