Let's face it. Not many people like the Vegas Golden Knights. They hate their very existence for a multitude of reasons, whether it's their on-ice success or LTIR purposes. Some people are simply miserable with their own existences. That comes with rooting for a team that's missed the postseason 14 straight times or a team that's made the postseason for two decades, only to not get a single Stanley Cup.
Ahh, life can be cruel, can't it?
Luckily, that's not the case for hockey fans in Las Vegas. Citizens are seeing their team return to the Stanley Cup playoffs for the seventh time in eight seasons. They got the Pacific Division wrapped up and already have 107 points this season. Do you remember the last two times that happened for the Golden Knights?
It's no wonder other hockey fans seem bitter about Vegas's recent success. They think Gary Bettman handed the Golden Knights a Stanley Cup-contending team right out of the gate (The Seattle Kraken had the exact same rules, mind you). Maybe try a little harder?
But that's not the main reason why other teams are hating on Vegas this season. They've already done their due diligence with this. Instead, there's a statistic that could (or couldn't) do everyone's favorite expansion team in. What reason is there for the Vegas Golden Knights to be doubted by various bellhops and podcasters?
Why hockey fans are doubting the Vegas Golden Knights in the NHL Playoffs
For most of the season, the Golden Knights have had a problem area on special teams. This area has been concerning throughout franchise history, with only one solid season (2020-21, 86.8%) to show for it. Mind you, that was during a COVID-shortened season. Therefore, it will not be counted.
Now, I know what you're thinking. Is it the power play? The unit has been a laughingstock throughout the franchise's storied history. Certainly, it's the power play, right?
First, it's near impossible for a power play to go that high. Even with Tomas Hertl, Jack Eichel, Connor McDavid, Alex Ovechkin AND Wayne Gretzky on your team, you couldn't achieve a percentage like that. Instead, it's been the penalty kill.
Fans will remember the infamous major penalty called on Cody Eakin during the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs as an example. The Golden Knights were up, 3-0, during the third period. Once that penalty was called, the Sharks responded with four power play goals.
This season is no different. Vegas has a penalty kill percentage of 76.5% (tied for 23rd). Even with allowing the third-fewest goals in the league (2.61 entering Monday), the unit has struggled. On paper, that gives critics reason to believe that the unit will struggle in the playoffs.
Golden Knights fans shouldn't worry about a thing, though
Las Vegans have seen the Vegas Golden Knights improve their penalty kill unit in the last five games. They've killed 11 power plays out of 12 tries in that time span, inspiring confidence in the special teams unit. How, you ask?
It starts with having Reilly Smith and William Karlsson back together. It's been mentioned before, yet it bears repeating. The two "Misfits" add a two-way threat to the unit, being capable of scoring on short-handed opportunities. With Smith and Karlsson back together, they can intercept pucks and skate down the ice for a goal or two. That's how they scored a short-handed goal in the last five games, courtesy of Karlsson.
Suddenly, the unit is getting their sticks out. They're fishing for passes to intercept, hoping to pounce on a fatal mistake. It's a beautiful sight to see, especially with the group being hit by countless injuries.
That momentum could carry over to the Stanley Cup playoffs, too. A massive momentum swing comes when you're able to kill off a penalty late. Suddenly, you have a player back on the ice, skating down in transition for the game-winning goal. That could be what Golden Knights fans see during the playoffs. It could also be enough to silence the haters.