Are you ready for the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2025-26 season? It's almost that time when we turn off the air conditioning and turn on the lights at T-Mobile Arena. Soon, we'll have Gold Carpet events and hockey games to watch.
But let's look into the crystal ball for a second and see what's in store for the future. Let's say the Golden Knights are in the thick of a playoff race and are fighting for the Pacific Division title. After all, this isn't the Seattle Mariners (or any team from Seattle, for that matter) that we're talking about here.
No, Kelly McCrimmon and the Golden Knights aren't trapped in 1995. Instead, they're winners that aren't satisfied with winning one Stanley Cup. They want two and they hunger for another after that.
Gotta love a winner when you see one.
With this scenario, let's see which four games will determine how the Golden Knights will do. These games could determine everything, ranging from the Stanley Cup playoffs to the Pacific Division.
1.) Edmonton Oilers: March 26
This is arguably the most important game on the schedule. It could determine who wins the Pacific Division and determine playoff standing come April. Therefore, it's crucial for the Golden Knights to win as many matchups as possible against their heated rivals.
The good news? This matchup is at home, where the Golden Knights held a record of 29-9-3 last season. Vegas must take this matchup and get two points, should the Pacific Division race come down to these two teams. Speaking of Edmonton...
2.) At Edmonton Oilers: April 4
...Ugh! These guys again. C'mon, Bettman. You could've given us the Chicago Blackhawks at T-Mobile Arena when they were out of playoff contention. I call blasphemy.
But in all seriousness, the rules apply here as they did for March 26. McDavid (in what could be his last Golden Knights-Oilers game with Edmonton) against Eichel (ditto, only with Vegas) and the Pacific Division's potentially on the line.
3.) At Los Angeles Kings: February 25
Remember last season when the Golden Knights had a four-game trip out east? They faced teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Buffalo Sabres, and the Detroit Red Wings. It was an utter disaster and fans were panicking about the team potentially falling out of favor.
Well, that trip is almost like this, only harder. Instead of playing Columbus, you have teams like the Washington Capitals and the Los Angeles Kings. Considering the Kings had a home record of 31-6-4, this could get the five-game road trip off to a rocky start.
4.) At Nashville Predators: March 21
This is the start of a three-game road trip that also includes the Dallas Stars and the Winnipeg Jets. Now, facing three teams in four days is rough. But if it's against two playoff teams from last season? That's brutal.
That's why this game matters more than people realize. Getting two points to start the trip is a must. That way, you can carry some sort of momentum into the trip and avoid any rough sailing.