Look, I know times are rather dire for Vegas Golden Knights fans. It feels like the bad times have finally arrived and the rebuild is rolling in. But allow me to regale you with a jaw-dropping stat, dear reader.
This involves Golden Knights head coach, Bruce Cassidy. His team's going through an early funk to start the 2025-26 season. However, he's been a steady force for the Golden Knights, keeping them in the playoff picture throughout his tenure... except for one game.
With Seattle's loss in shootout, the Golden Knights currently sit on the outside of the playoff picture (by points).
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) November 12, 2025
Since Bruce Cassidy took over, VGK have played exactly ONE game while out of the playoff picture. That was on October 22nd, 2024 vs LAK, they won 6-1.
Literally…
That's right, Golden Knights fans. Bruce Cassidy has kept the Golden Knights in the playoff conversation for every game except one.
Gerard Gallant couldn't pull something like this off. Pete DeBoer literally missed the playoffs in his last season with Vegas. It's like Cassidy is the perfect coach for the team.
Even in 2023-24, when the boys were dealing with an endless array of injuries, Vegas still found a way to be in playoff contention. Of course, this also came with added stipulations, including a weakened Pacific Division and an excellent front office.
Still, it's impressive that the Golden Knights have only spent one game outside of the playoff picture before Tuesday's action. The stat should also inspire confidence for a fanbase weary after an underachieving group hasn't played up to par so far (Rhymes Like Dimes!).
Why Vegas Golden Knights fans shouldn't worry about the team's slow start with Bruce Cassidy behind the bench
Looking at that game on October 22, 2024, that was from last season. Fans will remember that the Golden Knights won the Pacific Division and had 50 wins in 2024-25. What happened after the 6-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings? The Golden Knights won six of seven games, catapulting themselves back into the playoff picture.
That's why fans shouldn't panic too much about the team's current rut. Yes, you're missing out on key players like Mark Stone and William Karlsson. Yes, the team also has a horrible habit of being careless with its play. However, this is a veteran team that has been in these situations before.
When you have big names like Mitch Marner and Jack Eichel on your squad, the mission isn't to rebuild. No, that'd be as silly as going to your car and not having your car keys. The mission is to win the Stanley Cup.
The good news for Cassidy and the Golden Knights is that the next four games offer some reprieve
After facing a brutal gauntlet with an undermanned team, the Golden Knights' next four games are as follows:
- New York Islanders (18 points)
- @St. Louis Blues (15 points)
- @Minnesota Wild (18 points)
- New York Rangers (18 points)
That's not even mentioning two road games against a Utah Mammoth team that has lost three straight games heading into Wednesday's action. While parity is at an all-time high to start this topsy-turvy season, it also offers an opportunity for Vegas to hop back into things.
After all, Cassidy isn't one to simply allow a country club setting to fester. He wants to win by any means necessary. That could mean shuffling the lineup to find the right linemates. That could mean a demotion of sorts.
Whatever the case, Golden Knights fans should relax. It's early in the season and they have the perfect bench boss for the job.