Fansided

Vegas Golden Knights VS Los Angeles Kings Rivalry Gaining Steam

By Richard Cardinale |
LAS VEGAS, NV - FEBRUARY 27: Ryan Reaves #75 of the Vegas Golden Knights reacts after being called for a roughing penalty against Drew Doughty #8 of the Los Angeles Kings during the game at T-Mobile Arena on February 27, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - FEBRUARY 27: Ryan Reaves #75 of the Vegas Golden Knights reacts after being called for a roughing penalty against Drew Doughty #8 of the Los Angeles Kings during the game at T-Mobile Arena on February 27, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images)

A playoff series between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Los Angeles Kings would provide a ton of entertainment.

Before the regular season, I was wondering who would be the Vegas Golden Knights biggest rival. Geographically, the Arizona Coyotes would be the Golden Knights biggest rival. However, their talent level doesn’t come close to the Golden Knights, and they haven’t beaten Vegas in four prior meetings.

If the Coyotes step up their game over the next few years, then we might have something. But for now, let’s take a look at the Vegas Golden Knights and Los Angeles Kings. With the regular season series all wrapped up, both teams went 2-1-1 against each other.

After watching each game, I learned that these two teams just don’t like one another. There’s always scrums and shenanigans going on after the whistle, fights and big hits. These are all signs of a brewing rivalry.

The addition of Ryan Reaves to the lineup will only help the Golden Knights moving forward. Sure, he took costly penalties two nights in a row against the same Kings team. Though a player like Reaves helps take the pressure off everyone else in the lineup.

A physical presence is what every team needs in the playoffs. Washington has Tom Wilson, San Jose has Evander Kane, and LA has Dustin Brown. Every playoff team has one.

I know those players are more productive than Reaves from a scoring perspective, but he’s an intimidating force, unlike the others. If you see the 6’1 225lb coming at you loading up for a big hit, you better brace yourself.

The Golden Knights and Kings have had many scraps over the last few games. Reaves VS Kyle Clifford, David Perron VS Drew Doughty and many others. The physicality and trash talk these two teams bring is very nasty. As for the games themselves, three out of the four games were highly competitive and came down to the very end.

If these two teams face each other at some point in the playoffs, fans will be in for a treat around the world. With the playoffs on national TV, fans around North America would experience the next biggest rivalry the NHL has to offer. Additionally, the ratings that this series would provide would be up there and great for the league.

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All in all, the Vegas Golden Knights playing the Los Angeles Kings in round one of the playoffs would solidify the rivalry. Furthermore, it just seems like these two teams are destined for a playoff series. Who wins the series? I’m not sure, but I will guarantee two things: Physicality and hate.

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