Vegas Golden Knights Proving The House Always Wins
The Vegas Golden Knights record on home ice is no fluke.
In recent history, an expansion team usually ends up with a mediocre to a terrible inaugural season. Expansion teams rebuild from the ground up and build prospects to develop. But this Vegas Golden Knights squad has defied that logic in a big way.
When general manager George McPhee put this team together, he wanted a winning hockey club. And not only did he accomplish that, but he also picked some great players in the NHL Entry Draft in June. However, I don’t think anyone expected this type of success right out of the gate.
A lot of their success has to do with the every single player buying into Gerard Gallants “hard work” style of play. It also has to do with “next man up” mentality after losing the top three goaltenders in their system. But their record at T-Mobile Arena may be the most impressive asset of them all.
Whether if its teams coming into Las Vegas thinking they’re going to have a great time or not, T-Mobile Arena may be one of the best home-ice advantages in the league. I’m not sure if it matches up to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena or Montreal’s Bell Centre, but it’s definitely up there.
Lots of people are calling it the “Vegas Flu, ” but I think there’s more to it than just that. I believe this team loves to play on home ice. They just simply step up and play better at home than they do on the road.
The Golden Knights 4-5-1 record on the road is ordinary, and they’re around the league average. But Vegas is currently the best home team in the NHL at 8-1-0. The NHL’s newest franchise also carries a seven-game winning streak on home ice. The Knights only loss at home came against the Detroit Red Wings where they blew a one-goal lead heading into the third period.
As crazy as it sounds, the very first home game set the tone for this club. Think about all the moments from that historic night. The Golden Knights honored all the first responders from the October 1st massacre. Deryk Engelland’s heartfelt speech to the Vegas faithful. Tomas Nosek scoring the first home goal in franchise history to bring a city from tears to cheers. And hearing that final horn as “Viva Las Vegas” played after the clock hit zero.
They’ve since put up not one, but two thrilling overtime victories over the Buffalo Sabres and St. Louis Blues. Vegas also mixed in a 7-0 rout against a young Colorado Avalanche team. And they absolutely outplayed three powerhouses in the Chicago Blackhawks, Winnipeg Jets, and Los Angeles Kings.
Next: Vegas Golden Knights Extend Home Winning Streak To Seven Games.
The Vegas Golden Knights will look to tie the NHL record for longest home winning streaks at any point during an inaugural season on Friday evening against the San Jose Sharks. Vegas sure does have a knack for breaking records thus far. However, before we get there, the Knights will have to prepare for the Ducks at the Honda Center on Wednesday night. Either way, opposing teams are in for a battle when they step onto the ice at T-Mobile Arena.