Howden has five goals this postseason, including a pair in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final. He’s played most of the postseason alongside Chandler Stephenson and Mark Stone.
Brett Howden was always the Plan A. He was slated to fill the role on the left wing alongside Chandler Stephenson and Mark Stone to start the year.
Then for a variety of reasons, the line fell off with Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy going to Plan B (Jack Eichel) all the down to Plan E (Michael Amadio) with players being moved onto the line to find the best combination that would work.
But once everyone got healthy in the postseason, Plan A found himself back on the line alongside the All-Star and Captain.
It’s finally paying off.
Since being put back on that line at the start of the playoffs, Howden has been stellar for the Golden Knights. He has a pair of two-goal games and has five goals overall (nine points total).
“We had a few games together at the start of the year. Finished preseason together and the first six to 10 games at the start of the year. I don't think we had many goals to show for our play,” Howden said. “I thought we were playing well together. Just weren't getting any bounces. Obviously, a lot of injuries happened and things switched up. Then at the start of the playoffs and in that second game, we got thrown back together. I thought we've done a pretty good job.”
It's a simple gameplan for Howden on that line: forecheck and be a net-front presence for Stephenson and Stone. Howden has bought into the role and is being rewarded on the scoresheet for his efforts.
“I don't try to change anything in my game, just trying to have the same mentality and try to create some space for them because, obviously, those two can make some good plays out of pretty much nothing,” Howden said.
Howden’s appearance on the line alongside Stone and Stephenson allows the Golden Knights to roll out four-balanced lines with a strong pair on each line. It also gives each line a guy who gets into the crease and does the dirty work for their respective lines.
“‘Howie’ adds another element of going to the net and he can finish some plays,” Cassidy said. “He’s got the ability to back people off. That’s when ‘Stoney’s’ dangerous. When he’s got speed around him because he hangs on the puck and has that sixth sense and composure.”
Howden can also play center, but given the depth the Golden Knights have at the position, he’s best suited playing on the left wing opposite Stone. Cassidy said that opens up the game for Howden.
“He's great at F1, and that's where the advantage of being a left winger versus a centerman comes in,” Cassidy said. “As a centerman you got to be a little more mindful of what's going on around you, maybe, back in your own end, so it allows them the freedom to do that.”
Cassidy also theorized that there’s another reason why the trio works so well together.
“Three Western Canada guys too how can they not like each other right?,” Cassidy said. “It's worked out really well for them. I'm happy for ‘Howie.’ He’s a great kid. He's worked hard to get where he is in his career right now and a few ups and downs but real good add for us.”