Vegas Golden Knights 2017-18 Christmas Wish List

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The Vegas Golden Knights are asking a lot from Santa in their first year of existence.

You couldn’t ask for a better start to a year if you’re a Vegas Golden Knights fan. The team currently stands in a five-way tie for first place in the Western Conference at 22-9-2 with 46 points. And thankfully the top two goalies on the depth chart are finally healthy.

The Golden Knights have been the biggest surprise in the NHL this season. Vegas is four lines deep, play all six defensemen and used five goaltenders in less than 40 games. If you’re a Knights fan, you have to be living on cloud nine right about now.

But there’s always room for improvement especially on a roster like this one. Whether it’s a player that needs to step up, acquiring a player to improve the team or selling a player for future assets. Here’s five gifts the Knights should ask from Santa this year:

1. Keep Marc-Andre Fleury and Malcolm Subban healthy

LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 14: Malcolm Subban #30 of the Vegas Golden Knights congratulates teammate Marc-Andre Fleury #29 after their 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins at T-Mobile Arena on December 14, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

This one is simple, straight and to the point. Maxime Lagace was decent, and the team managed to find ways to win with him in net. However, the Golden Knights don’t want another situation where they have to carry their fourth and fifth string goalies.

Marc-Andre Fleury and Malcolm Subban have been one of the best duos in hockey when healthy. Fleury is 5-1-1 with a GAA of 2.25 and carries a robust .932 SV%. Ironically, Subban’s stats are very similar to Fleury’s numbers. The Toronto, Ontario native is 8-2-0, holds a 2.30 GAA and possesses a .922 SV%.

Oscar Dansk also showed he could step up to the plate when he comes back from injury. In a small sample size, Dansk went 3-0-0 with a 1.78 GAA, maintains a 9.46 SV% and has the teams only shutout in franchise history.

Lagace earned the bulk of the starts with the top three goaltenders on the depth chart out due to injury. Before going back to the Chicago Wolves, Lagace finished 6-6-1, provided a 3.79 GAA and a mediocre save percentage of .872%.

All the goaltenders deserve a significant amount of credit and exceeding expectations. But we all know if the Golden Knights want to win and compete now, Fleury and Subban have to stay healthy.

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