Lawless: Opening Knight Notebook and another Eichel masterpiece

Another Vegas Golden Knights game and another Jack Eichel masterpiece. Is it possible that Eichel is even better than we perceive him to be and is on the verge of taking his game and his team to a new level? Without question.

Eichel was the highlight reel for Vegas in its 8-4 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday. Eichel contributed at 5-on-5, on the power play and on the penalty kill, providing four assists.

Facing reigning Hart Trophy winner Nathan MacKinnon was a daunting challenge on opening night. Eichel ensured his team scored two points on the night, finishing the game with a plus-three rating compared to a minus-two rating for MacKinnon. Eichel also blocked three shots.

Under the guidance of head coach Bruce Cassidy, Eichel has developed into a complete center. Upon arriving in Vegas, Cassidy told Eichel that his idea of ​​a No. 1 center was Boston Bruins legend Patrice Bergeron. Bergeron never reached 100 points in a season, but instead won six Selke Trophies as the NHL's best defensive forward. Bergeron led the Bruins to the Stanley Cup in 2011 and won two Olympic gold medals with Team Canada.

Eichel is an accurate player and has learned to use his elite skating skills to be as effective on defense as he is on offense.

At 27 years old, Eichel may just be reaching the peak of his powers. The Massachusetts native had to overcome a neck injury that cost him nearly two seasons and led to a messy split with the Buffalo Sabers.

Since arriving in Vegas, he has made continued progress in terms of health, leadership and results. He led Las Vegas in points and played a crucial role in the Golden Knights' 22-23 Stanley Cup run against the opposition's best players. He was easily the most complete and dominant player in the world this spring.

And now he is physically and mentally at the peak of his powers.

Jack isn't just back. Jack is better.

Two on three: Vegas has the best power play personnel in team history. The top unit of Eichel, Mark Stone, Tomas Hertl, Victor Olofsson and Shea Theodore looked great in Game 1.