Vegas Golden Knights: Three First Round Predictions

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The Vegas Golden Knights first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Kings will be a one to remember.

Just minutes away from the first playoff game in the history of the Vegas Golden Knights. Who would’ve thought that I would be saying that in October? This team has proved everyone wrong so why go against them?

Their first-round playoff matchup against the Los Angeles Kings will be a tough one, no doubt. If the Golden Knights go onto lose this series, it will be a disappointment after a ton of regular season memories. I hate to repeat myself from October but let’s not forget, this is an expansion team, and we must keep our expectations low.

Playoff hockey is not a new game but it’s a different season and everyone starts fresh on the statsheet. Players will rise to the occasion and some will fail under pressure. Here are three predictions ahead of the Kings- Golden Knights series.

3) Goaltenders will steal the show in this series

PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 12: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Vegas Golden Knights slides across his crease as Colin Miller #6 defends against Claude Giroux #28 of the Philadelphia Flyers on March 12, 2018, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Golden Knights went on to defeat the Flyers 3-2. Tonight’s win was the 400th in Fleury’s NHL career. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Everyone knows about the resume’s of Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and Kings netminder Jonathan Quick. A combined FIVE Stanley Cup trophies and a Conn Smythe trophy that Quick won in 2012. But that’s not all; both goalies bring a total of 108 postseason victories to the table.

The amount of Stanley Cup Playoff experience that these two bring when it’s pressure time is incredible. Both teams will rely on their goaltenders heavily throughout this series and beyond. Let’s take a look at some of the numbers these elite goaltenders have put together this campaign.

Let’s start with Quick. In 64 games played, he has a 33-28-3 record with a GAA of 2.40, and a save percentage of 921%. The goals against are up from past years, but he has also faced more shots under new Kings Head Coach John Stevens. Certainly terrific numbers from the Los Angeles undisputed number one goalie.

Fleury’s numbers are very appealing. The Sorel, Quebec native collected 29 wins, 13 losses, and four overtime defeats. His stout 2.24 GAA and .927 SV% makes him one of the best goaltenders in the league this season.

You can make arguments about who you would rather have in net. It’s a tossup; I would be happy with either one of these goalies backstopping my team. Both goalies will steal games for their respective teams in this series.

2) Alex Tuch will have a big series against the Kings

LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 28: Vegas Golden Knights Right Wing Alex Tuch (89) attempts a shot on goal against Los Angeles Kings Goalie Jonathan Quick (32) during the game on December 28, 2017, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Adam Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

As we all know, there needs to be a player or two who steps up in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. And I’m not talking about a first line center or second line right wing. There needs to be some production from the bottom half of the roster.

Alex Tuch put together solid numbers in his rookie season in the NHL. In 78 games played, he scored 15 goals, 22 assists, and 37 points.

With David Perron out to start this series, the Golden Knights need a player who can step and into a more significant role and Tuch’s that player. Sure, he may not have any Stanley Cup playoff experience but he does have a lot of size, and that’s always welcomed in the playoffs. This type of player screams playoff performer, in my book.

Tuch’s game has always been about using his size in the opponent’s crease, so if he creates traffic in front of Quick and crashes the net, the Golden Knights will be in good shape. The Syracuse, New York native, has had great games against the Kings this year and it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if he did the same in this series.

3) Vegas Golden Knights will defeat the Los Angeles Kings in seven games

LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 30: Jonathan Marchessault #81 celebrates his goal with teammates William Karlsson #71 and Alex Tuch #89 of the Vegas Golden Knights against the St. Louis Blues during the game at T-Mobile Arena on March 30, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images) /

After going back and forth for hours, I decided that the Golden Knights depth will be just too much for the Kings. Of course, this series could go the other way. But with the way the Golden Knights have played this year in the biggest games, they always seem to rise to the occasion.

The Kings may have more elite players than the Golden Knights do. However, the bottom half of the roster is where the Golden Knights have the edge in this series. If the Golden Knights win this series, the bottom six forward group and the defensive pairing of Jon Merrill and Colin Miller will play huge factors.

Injuries to Jake Muzzin and Derek Forbort are enormous losses for the Kings, so it’s essential the Golden Knights get off to a hot start at home. If they can do that, they can try to end the series as quickly as possible. Although, the Golden Knights are missing a massive piece in leadership with no Perron in the locker room.

Next: Vegas Golden Knights Key To Playoff Success: Marc-Andre Fleury

All in all, here’s how I see it playing out. Jonathan Marchessault will score the game winner in game seven in the third period with ten minutes left. The Vegas Golden Knights stagger to the finish line and defeat the Los Angeles Kings once and for all. How do you see the series playing out?

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