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Vegas Golden Knights: Must-watch games in December

By Andrew Steele-Davis

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 25: Philipp Grubauer #31 of the Colorado Avalanche makes a save against William Carrier #28 of the Vegas Golden Knights as Ryan Graves #27 of the Avalanche defends in the second period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on October 25, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Avalanche defeated the Golden Knights 6-1. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 25: Philipp Grubauer #31 of the Colorado Avalanche makes a save against William Carrier #28 of the Vegas Golden Knights as Ryan Graves #27 of the Avalanche defends in the second period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on October 25, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Avalanche defeated the Golden Knights 6-1. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Thanksgiving is now a distant memory and December is here which means that it is go time for the Vegas Golden Knights.

After going 5-6-3 in November, the Vegas Golden Knights finished the month with consecutive wins against the Nashville Predators and the Arizona Coyotes, and they now need to really start clicking into gear.

They can’t afford another month like November if they are to throw the Edmonton Oilers off the top of the Pacific Division, and there is a good omen at play here for the Golden Knights who embarked on a big run after Thanksgiving last year.

However, the slate in December isn’t the easiest and it starts with a three-game road trip on the East Coast.

So, on that note, let’s run through the five most mouthwatering matchups to look forward to throughout the month of December…

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 30: Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers heads for the net as Nikita Gusev #97 of the New Jersey Devils defends in the third period at Prudential Center on November 30, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey.The New York Rangers defeated the New Jersey Devils 4-0. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 30: Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers heads for the net as Nikita Gusev #97 of the New Jersey Devils defends in the third period at Prudential Center on November 30, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey.The New York Rangers defeated the New Jersey Devils 4-0. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

1. 12/2 @ New York Rangers

Let’s start this list by taking a look at the first game of December for the Vegas Golden Knights, which will take place at Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers tonight.

And it won’t be an easy match-up for the Golden Knights.

The Rangers are in a rebuild but they are nearing the light at the end of the tunnel and they could be a playoff team this year.

They are currently riding a five-game point streak (4-0-1) and they are 8-4-2 at MSG this season, including winning their last four games on home ice.

The Blueshirts also boast a plethora of talent too, including Artemi Panarin who leads the team in points with 33 (12 goals, 21 assists), franchise center Mika Zibanejad and rookie phenom Kaapo Kakko, who was the No.2 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

This is going to be a tough start to the three-game road trip for the Golden Knights and they can’t take the Rangers lightly.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 30: Semyon Varlamov #40 of the New York Islanders celebrates their 2-0 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets at Barclays Center on November 30, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 30: Semyon Varlamov #40 of the New York Islanders celebrates their 2-0 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets at Barclays Center on November 30, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images) /

2. 12/5 @ New York Islanders

Okay, so they have cooled down a little bit of late but, make no mistake about it, the New York Islanders look the real deal this season.

They are 17-5-2 on the year and boast the 4th best defense in the NHL when it comes to Goals Against Per Game (2.42), while they are able to roll four lines that can all make an impact on any given night.

The Islanders are an historic franchise that is looking for a return to the glory days, and this match-up will be played at the raucous Nassau Coliseum, which will be a huge factor.

This could be Vegas’ toughest game on the road this year and teams that are coached by Barry Trotz are always hard to break down.

ST. LOUIS, MO. – NOVEMBER 21: St. Louis Blues leftwing David Perron (57) is congratulated by teammates after scoring during a NHL game between the Calgary Flames and the St. Louis Blues on November 21, 2019, at Enterprise Center, St. Louis, MO. Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO. – NOVEMBER 21: St. Louis Blues leftwing David Perron (57) is congratulated by teammates after scoring during a NHL game between the Calgary Flames and the St. Louis Blues on November 21, 2019, at Enterprise Center, St. Louis, MO. Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. 12/12 @ St. Louis Blues

You always look forward to pitting your wits against the defending Stanley Cup champions, and the Vegas Golden Knights will get an opportunity to do just that next week.

However, maybe the Golden Knights shouldn’t be that excited about this game given how good the Blues are right now.

They have a 17-5-6 record and are on a three-game winning streak, while they boast speed, power and depth throughout the lineup.

The Blues are just an all-round solid hockey team who have got the fundamentals and intangibles right, and they can beat up on any team on any given night.

VANCOUVER, BC – DECEMBER 01: The Vancouver Canucks celebrate a goal by Right Wing Josh Leivo (17) during their NHL game against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Arena on December 1, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Devin Manky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC – DECEMBER 01: The Vancouver Canucks celebrate a goal by Right Wing Josh Leivo (17) during their NHL game against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Arena on December 1, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Devin Manky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. 12/15 Vs. Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks are currently hanging on in there in the Pacific Division, and this year might not be the year they make the postseason.

However, the Canucks boast a core of young, elite talent headlined by the likes of Bo Horvat, Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser and Quinn Hughes, and they are a hell of a fun team to watch.

They can pile goals on you and they play with speed and a bucketload of skill, so this will be a real test for the Golden Knights to see if they can handle that deadly mix.

DENVER, COLORADO – NOVEMBER 30: Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche skates during a break in the action against the Chicago Blackhawks at Pepsi Center on November 30, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – NOVEMBER 30: Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche skates during a break in the action against the Chicago Blackhawks at Pepsi Center on November 30, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) /

5. 12/23 Vs. Colorado Avalanche

To be the best you have to beat the best and this will be the case for the Vegas Golden Knights when they host the Colorado Avalanche at T-Mobile Arena on Dec, 23.

The Knights have already been spanked 6-1 by the Avalanche this year so they know what to expect, but the Avs could be better than what they were in October.

Because, Colorado now have Mikko Rantanen back and there are reports that Taylor Hall could be on his way from the New Jersey Devils.

Next. Three takeaways from shootout success. dark

Plus, the Avalanche are absolutely pummeling teams right now and they also have one of the best rookies in the game on their roster in defenseman Cale Makar, who seems a lock for the Calder Trophy right now with eight goals and 18 assists for 26 points.

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