Three reasons why the Vegas Golden Knights will win in 2019-20

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 27: William Karlsson #71 of the Vegas Golden Knights skates during the first period against the Los Angeles Kings at T-Mobile Arena on September 27, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images) /

2. Abundance of firepower

We’ve covered this point countless times on this website so we apologize in advance if we are repeating ourselves, but this team is absolutely stacked when it comes to offensive weapons and firepower.

Starting with the formidable top six unit containing Jonathan Marchessault, William Karlsson, Reilly Smith, Max Pacioretty, Paul Stastny and Mark Stone, the Vegas Golden Knights can boast a truly potent one-two punch at the top of their lineup and that should result in a high-scoring offense.

A full year of Stone will significantly help the Knights in both zones, and his line with Pacioretty and Stastny may get tougher matchups, but that in turn will ease the pressure off the top line featuring Marchessault, Karlsson and Smith.

Karlsson, Marchessault and Smith have been outstanding for the Knights over the last two years and they now have some support in Pacioretty, Stastny and Stone with the latter three combining for 31 points (13 goals, 18 assists) in just seven postseason contests.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 27: Paul Stastny #26 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates after scoring a goal during the third period against the Los Angeles Kings at T-Mobile Arena on September 27, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images) /

And there is potential for some deep secondary scoring, too, something this team has struggled with over the last two years. Alex Tuch, although he will begin the year on the injured list, recorded 52 points last year (20 goals, 32 assists) in 74 regular season games and he’ll be on the third line.

Cody Eakin carved out career-highs in goals (22) and points (41) in 2018-19 as did Ryan Reaves with nine goals, 11 assists and 20 points, while both Tomas Nosek and William Carrier are capable of providing offense and Shea Theodore and Nate Schmidt will be able to contribute from the point.

Vegas were ranked 14th in the NHL last year in Goals For Per Game (3.00) but expect that to jump up considerably in 2019-20, and a bucketload of firepower from all areas of the lineup will be the driving force behind any success this franchise enjoys this season.

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