Vegas Golden Knights 2018-19 Regular Season Predictions

The Vegas Golden Knights open up their regular season schedule tomorrow night, which means it’s time for some predictions.

Here we are again ladies and gentleman; we’re on the eve of the first official gameday of the Vegas Golden Knights regular season. The Golden Knights play the Philadelphia Flyers tomorrow night at T-Mobile Arena to kick off the second year of their franchise.  The fans have to recognize that last year is in the past and that anything can happen in a new season.

Let’s face it; a lot went right in the Golden Knights inaugural campaign. Performances out of nowhere came from William Karlsson, Erik Haula, Nate Schmidt and Malcolm Subban just to name a few. Now that this team has an established identity, there’s no telling how far they could go. After all, this team did make it to the Stanley Cup Final after every single media outlet had Vegas missing the playoffs.

Before I begin with my predictions, anything can happen, and Vegas hockey fanatics know that more than any fanbase in the world. But with raised expectations, I’m sure some fans will even say “Cup or Bust.” Keep in kind this is only year two of a rapidly growing franchise that’s on their way to big things in the future. So without further ado, here are three predictions for the Vegas Golden Knights in 2018-19.

1. Max Pacioretty will lead the Golden Knights in goals.

Max Pacioretty came to Vegas in a mid-September trade from the Montreal Canadiens. The one thing that has eluded him the most while playing in Montreal is not having a number one center to on his line. Besides last season, Pacioretty has touched the 30-goal plateau in the past five seasons excluding the lockout campaign.

The New Canaan, Connecticut native, looks to play on the second line with Paul Stastny and Erik Haula to start the season. Although,  I wouldn’t be shocked to see him move up and take Reilly Smith’s spot on the first line with Jonathan Marchessault and William Karlsson. If given the opportunity, Pacioretty will seize his shot to play with two elite players such as Marchessault and Karlsson.

2. Erik Brannstrom will find his way into the lineup this season.

Yes, the Golden Knights may have sent Erik Brannstrom down to the American Hockey League for the time being. However, let’s not forget how thin the Golden Knights are on defense without Nate Schmidt in the lineup. All it’s going to take is a significant injury or two for the Golden Knights to have no choice but to call up their brightest young prospect.

While he may be green, Brannstrom is an excellent puck mover with a ton of skill in the offensive zone. His defensive abilities will need some work in the minor leagues, but when he improves and develops in that area, he will be the Golden Knights number one defenseman when all is set and done. Look for Branstrom to get a steady 10-game diet of NHL experience this year.

3. The Vegas Golden Knights will finish in second in the Pacific division.

The Vegas hockey faithful won’t be too happy with me about this one. The bad news is I see the San Jose Sharks taking control of the Pacific with the addition of Erik Karlsson. But the Good news is I still see the Golden Knights finishing in second and claiming a high seed during their playoff run.

The defense may be a little shaky at first with no Nate Schmidt for the first 20 regular season games. Shea Theodore will need to step up and play a vital role on the blue line for the Golden Knights defensive corps to have any type of success. Marc-Andre Fleury will have his hands full early on in 2018-19.

As for the offense, I honestly think this year’s Golden Knights squad is better than last seasons. The additions of Pacioretty and Stastny along with Tomas Nosek and Alex Tuch looking to bust out and explode at the NHL level. Not to mention, Smith, Marchessault, and Karlsson are all entering the prime years of their careers. This offense looks deadly and looks to put up a ton of goals thanks to head coach Gerard Gallant’s heavy forecheck scheme.

All in all, this should be an incredible season for the Vegas Golden Knights. There’s only one thing last years team didn’t do that this one might, and that is winning the Stanley Cup. The road to Lords Stanley begins tomorrow at T-Mobile Arena at 7 PM PT on NBCSN.