Golden Knights must respond to recent letdowns against Blackhawks

If the Vegas Golden Knights are ever going to stop their downward spiral, it has to be now.

On Sunday, the Golden Knights look to finally start a new chapter of their season against the Chicago Blackhawks.

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Venue: United Center, Chicago, IL

Date: Sunday, January 4

Time: 4:00 pm PST

How To Watch: ESPN+, SCRIPPS

Radio: 1340 AM, 94.7 FM

The pressure has to be mounting for the Golden Knights, who come into the game as losers of seven of their last eight. Other teams have used a stretch like this as a point to make serious changes, and the Golden Knights are trending in that direction. Another loss to a Blackhawks team currently sitting in dead last in the NHL standings could all but guarantee it, so the Golden Knights must prove that the answer to their problems is currently in their locker room.

Here is how they can finally snap the cold spell in the Windy City.

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Closing time

Something that has hounded the Golden Knights in recent games is snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

They held leads against the Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators and St. Louis Blues only to squander all of them. It too often feels like one mistake turns into three or four that find the back of the net, which has cost the Golden Knights valuable points. The team needs to re-establish a sense of resilience, and it is imperative that any lead against the Blackhawks remain that way.

No need for generosity

Turnovers have been an issue for the Golden Knights all season long, resulting in meltdowns.

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In the last game against the Blues, three of the four goals from St. Louis were direct consequences of errant passing from the Golden Knights. Whether it is the result of struggles in on-ice communication or schematic issues, the team must play smarter with the puck. Expect to see a simplified game plan just to ensure the unforced errors stop.

Enough is enough

At some point, the impetus to improve must fall on the players and coaching staff, and the Golden Knights may have received a clear timeline.

During Saturday’s practice, goaltender Adin Hill was spotted on the ice for the first time since leaving the Oct. 20 game against the Carolina Hurricanes with a lower body injury. That alone ensures that the Golden Knights are rapidly approaching a decision on their goaltending, but continued struggles might push the team to keep going. Changes are coming to this team, and the players now have to take it upon themselves to avoid being on the wrong side of that equation when it arrives.