How Knights lineup could look when Victor Olofsson returns

There are some decisions that need to be made when Victor Olofsson returns to the Vegas Golden Knights lineup.

That could come as early as Monday when the Knights open a season-long four-game road trip against the Boston Bruins.

Olofsson has practiced as a noncontact participant the past two sessions and is traveling with the team for the road trip.

When he’s ready to return, the Knights have some things to figure out.

One that won’t be a problem is what line he’ll be on. Olofsson skated with winger Trevor Connelly and center Tomas Hertl on Saturday — the two he played with his first four games.

Coach Ryan Craig did not commit to Olofsson playing Monday.

The third line was, arguably, the Knights’ most consistent offensive line to start the season. The Knights outshot teams 22-9 with the three on the ice, according to Natural Stat Trick, and outscored opponents 3-1.

The line continued to play well with Olofsson out, as Raphael Lavoie and Braeden Bowman split time at right wing in his absence.

Projected forward group when Olofsson returns

Ivan Barbashev — Jack Eichel — Mark Stone

Brett Howden — William Karlsson — Mitch Marner

Trevor Connelly — Tomas Hertl — Victor Olofsson

Braeden Bowman — Nic Dowd — Marc Gatcomb

The power play didn’t suffer with Olofsson out. It started 5-of-16 in the first four games. Olofsson had two of those goals.

The Knights have gone 7-of-28 in the past 11 games. It’s still a respectable number, and the Knights still hold a top-10 power play because of it.

Connelly, by way of Olofsson’s injury, has thrived with increased responsibility. He’s proved worthy of being on the top power play unit in place of Olofsson and has seen some run in the top six.

Connelly has been more than a serviceable option on the first unit. Three of his nine points have come on the power play, as well as a goal.

There were times the power play look disjointed without Olofsson, but that’s not a fault of Connelly’s.

He’s someone who needs the puck and has to keep moving without it, whereas Olofsson parks himself at the right circle and readies a one-timer.

The Knights aren’t reliant on one power-play unit under Craig. If he has an opportunity to get both units during the two minutes, Craig will do it.

First power-play unit

Mark Stone

Jack Eichel — Tomas Hertl — Victor Olofsson

Mitch Marner

Second power-play unit

Trevor Connelly — William Karlsson — Braeden Bowman

Rasmus Andersson — Shea Theodore

Connelly would become one of, if not the lead playmaker on the second unit. Getting Olofsson back on the top unit as the shooting threat should help the movement.

Entries have been an issue as of late for the power play, which would nullify that thinking if they can’t get it across the offensive blue line cleanly.

When the dust settles, there shouldn’t be much change from the start of the season. The Knights had a balanced attack with Olofsson out, but it’s a more balanced attack when the true shooter of the team returns.

It should also aid in the lack of offense. The Knights have scored 11 goals in their last five games. Four of them came in one game.

Olofsson’s return should help the Knights in more ways than one.

Contact Danny Webster at [email protected]. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.

Up next

Who: Golden Knights at Bruins

When: 4 p.m. Monday

Where: TD Garden, Boston

TV: KMCC-34

Radio: KVGS 107.9 FM