The Vegas Golden Knights are in the middle of a daunting seven-game series with the Minnesota Wild. They're tasked with getting the Stanley Cup back to Sin City when the temperatures reach searing heights.
After all, that high from 2023 isn't going away any time soon. Fans want another taste of the greatest trophy in professional sports. The Golden Knights also want that taste, where they'll go to great lengths to get it.
That's why Kelly McCrimmon and company made a splash during last season's trade deadline. Getting Noah Hanifin and Tomas Hertl was part of a bigger plan to get the offense going. So far, it's led to countless benefits, including a surging power play (second-best in the NHL at 28.3%) and the fifth-best attack in the league (3.34 goals per game).
All these pieces and attributes are part of what will make the first-round matchup against the Wild interesting. Who doesn't want to know how the power play will carry its success over to the Stanley Cup playoffs?
However, those aren't the storylines to focus on. Those are the water-cooler topics that fans would bring up in a generic conversation. Instead, three bigger headlines will rule the series, particularly with an "Original Misfit" as the main focus. What are the biggest storylines during the first-round matchup for the Golden Knights?
1.) Marc-Andre Fleury's last hurrah
Perhaps the biggest storyline revolves around a player who won't play in the series. His name? Marc-Andre Fleury. The "Original Misfit" is the most successful goaltender in Vegas Golden Knights history, grabbing numerous franchise records along the way.
Regardless of the series result, this will be the last time fans will see him. Fleury is retiring after this season, ending his 21-year career. You couldn't have scripted a better ending for the Vezina Trophy winner after an illustrious career. Facing your former team one last time in the Stanley Cup playoffs? Get your popcorn and tissue boxes ready!
2.) Can Pavel Dorofeyev carry the Vegas Golden Knights?
Leading the team in goals (35) is one thing. But when you're a young 24-year-old winger who's shooting up the NHL rankings, you're bound to have more eyeballs on you. That's the case for Pavel Dorofeyev, who's emerged as an incredible scoring option.
But can that translate over to postseason success? So far, it's been easy for the winger. He had a power play goal in Game 1. Fans are excited to see what Dorofeyev will do when the lights are on bright. They might get more than they asked for this series and beyond.
3.) How can a fully healthy Golden Knights team function?
2023 was an interesting year for the Golden Knights. Sure, they won the Stanley Cup and all. However, they were plagued with injuries at the goaltender position. Names like Laurent Brossoit and Logan Thompson didn't make it to the Stanley Cup Final.
Thank goodness for Adin Hill because he's proven himself to be a solid postseason goaltender. But that goes back to a broader point. How will a Golden Knights team at full strength function? Will there be some rust to shake off as the playoffs progress? How will players like Tomas Hertl and Jack Eichel fare with the extra rest? All eyes will be on Vegas as fans anticipate how they'll do at 100%.