Remember when people were equating the Pacific Division to a pillow fight? You were looking at "average" teams like the Edmonton Oilers and the Anaheim Ducks joining in on the Vegas Golden Knights' "pillow fight." It was a battle of teams barely getting points and wallowing in their mediocrity.
Well, except for one. You see, the Golden Knights are one win away from putting the dagger in the President's Trophy winners, the Colorado Avalanche. Vegas has suddenly turned a corner, playing incredible hockey since John Tortorella came on board. We're talking about a record of 18-4-1 since he came along, leading the Golden Knights close to the Stanley Cup Final.
Make what you will about the circumstances, whether it's the Avalanche being banged up, the Golden Knights facing the Ducks, or Vegas facing the Utah Mammoth. Still, you can't deny that the Golden Knights are going on a generational run. The players are suddenly responding and are playing with swagger, leaving hockey fans worried about the "Evil Empire" re-emerging once again.
Yep, there's no escaping the inevitable, dear reader. The Golden Knights are on the doorstep of yet another Stanley Cup Final appearance and there's not a d*mn thing that the other teams can do about it.
Ironically enough, this run puts a different perspective about how the season is ranked all-time. Does the run suddenly boost the season's status from being one of the worst to being... one of the best? Well, that's where things get complicated.
The Vegas Golden Knights' 2025-26 season elevates itself to new heights—but it won't be the best, even with a Stanley Cup
Look, I understand that the 2025-26 season has suddenly shot up the ranks of the all-time greatest seasons (away from the worst seasons). The run consists of having the President's Trophy winners on the ropes and also taking down teams like the Edmonton Oilers, the Utah Mammoth, and the Anaheim Ducks. But there is some merit in saying that this won't be the greatest season ever, even with a Stanley Cup.
For one, the Golden Knights still had more losses than wins this season. It's the first time that it's ever happened in franchise history, putting Vegas on the cusp of being eliminated from playoff contention. There was also playing poorly against teams in playoff contention, where teams like the Avalanche, the Minnesota Wild, and the Dallas Stars dominated the Golden Knights.
And yes, the Pacific Division was weak during the regular season. That should also be considered here. However, that doesn't discount the team suddenly turning on the jets. All those worries about Mitch Marner (NHL-leading 21 points in the postseason) being a playoff dud? Thrown out the window.
You can also say the same thing about Pavel Dorofeyev, who has suddenly turned on the jets with 10 goals (tied for first in the NHL). Of course, he would've had the NHL lead if the NHL allowed his goal in Game 3. Oh well, you have the 3-0 lead.
Still, a Stanley Cup would seal off any criticism of the Golden Knights' performance this season. Both the Montreal Canadiens and the Carolina Hurricanes are good teams who've gone above the call. If the Golden Knights can win it all, it'll turn the entire "best seasons" discussion completely on its head, along with the "Pacific Division is weak" discourse.
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