Eichel’s playoff legend grows with Vegas closer to Stanley Cup

Jack Eichel crumbled to the ice, his left leg bent in a way that would sideline any human, and skated to the locker room on his own power.

The force that Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk generated into Eichel was a hit that could’ve changed the complexion of the Stanley Cup Final. From up top, it looked like Eichel’s night was done at least.

But Eichel didn’t just return to the bench for the third period. He once again made an impact like he’s done since his first postseason run began two months ago. His two assists, including the last one to set up Jonathan Marchessault’s goal in the third period, was part of an offensive barrage that led the Golden Knights to a dominant 7-2 run in Game 2 of the Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on Monday.

The second period ended early for Eichel — about two minutes remaining — when he got leveled by Tkachuk at the defensive blue line. A melee ensued with Ivan Barbashev and Alex Pietrangelo joining Tkachuk and forward Gustav Forsling on the penalty ledger.

Looking live, it didn’t look good for Eichel. He got up from the ice hunched over in pain and darted down the tunnel. Tkachuk was given a 10-minute misconduct as a result.

But Eichel returned for the third. Minutes after the Panthers ended Adin Hill’s shutout 14 seconds in, Eichel won a puck battle along the wall, waited for a wide-open Marchessault to cut down the middle of the ice and score his second goal of the game to make it 5-1.

Eichel said the hit was clean. The only thing bothering him was getting the wind knocked out.

“Just get off the ice and regroup,” Eichel said of what went through his mind after the hit. “Get up and go collect myself, I guess.”

One can imagine the panic it would’ve brought had the Golden Knights headed to Sunrise, Fla., with a 2-0 lead in the Cup Final in tow but without Eichel. Even as a precautionary move to keep him out the third period would’ve been wise.

It’s just another moment that shows what Eichel has become these playoffs.

His defensive game has started to take shape. His evolution as a 200foot player is on display every game throughout this run. His hustle and commitment to making the little plays has turned him into the player that was touted as one of the best in the league since his NHL arrival in 2015.

Eichel said the hit was on him in that he tripped on his own while trying to get the puck, before Tkachuk’s shoulder leveled him and knocked his helmet off.

“Got to be aware of it,” Eichel said. “Got to keep your head up. I’ll be fine.”

The Conn Smythe Trophy discussion, given to the MVP of the playoffs, changes in the Golden Knights’ favor after every game. Following the Western Conference Final, it was William Karlsson with his goals and shutdown defense. Through two games, it’s been Marchessault with his scoring surge and Hill with his pristine goaltending.

What Eichel has done these playoffs is rare territory. Only seven players since 1943-44 have recorded multipoint games in his first two Stanley Cup Final games. Eichel is the seventh.