Vegas Golden Knights forward Keegan Kolesar continues to be an essential part of Vegas' lineup.
The fourth-year Golden Knight is still not much of a scoring option, having posted just five goals and six assists in 49 games so far this season, but his aggressiveness gives him a role that the team desperately needs.
The Golden Knights aren't all that belligerent -- it's just not their game.
But having a player like Kolesar to remind the opposing team they still can't be messed with will always be beneficial when the team needs an extra energy boost.
Kolesar led the Golden Knights in penalties in minutes last season (68) and is currently doing so again as he sits at 48, well on pace to surpass last year's mark.
He also led the team in hits last year with 246 and is doing so again with 180 hits so far this season.
Kolesar scored his first goal of the 2022-23 campaign in just the third game of Vegas' season.
He wouldn't record another point until he finished with a goal and an assist in the team's win over the Montreal Canadiens on Nov. 5, the seventh contest of the Golden Knights' nine-game win streak.
After scoring a goal in Vegas' shootout loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Nov. 19, Kolesar went on a 19-game scoring drought.
He ended it by notching a goal and an assist in the Golden Knights' victory over the Nashville Predators on New Year's Eve.
The forward followed that performance with an assist against the Colorado Avalanche the very next game.
Kolesar then recorded two assists and a goal on Jan. 12 and Jan. 14, respectively, making it six points in six points.
He has tallied just a single point since.
Kolesar and the Golden Knights will take the ice Tuesday against Nashville for their first game back from the break.
Follow along with VGK Today for live updates throughout the contest.
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