They say that it's never easy, especially when you're trying to clinch back-to-back division titles. The Vegas Golden Knights know that, especially when they've dealt with a pesky Seattle Kraken team. This Kraken team won all three matchups heading into Wednesday's matchup, making for *GASP* a surprising adversary. Certainly, that would continue in the regular season finale, right?
Finally! FINALLY! The 2025-26 Vegas Golden Knights have a win against the Seattle Kraken. They defeated their expansion "rivals," 4-1, clinching the Pacific Division in the process. On the night when they only needed one point to clinch the division, they got two.
Because, why not? When John Tortorella calls for maximum effort in a regular-season finale, you'd better deliver!
The Seattle Kraken got a goal from Shane Wright. That's it. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights got plenty of Original Misfit representation with Shea Theodore and Reilly Smith (twice) scoring goals. Of course, Mitch Marner added a goal since its' freakin' Mitch Marner. Amazing what having the single-season record for most points from a Golden Knights star in his first season can do.
Anyways, the Golden Knights have back-to-back Pacific Division titles, ending the "pillow fight of all pillow fights." But what stood out in the Golden Knights finally beating Seattle in a regular season game (at least in 2025-26)? Who will Vegas face in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs?
The Vegas Golden Knights are rolling into the Stanley Cup playoffs
You know, I said some things about John Tortorella when he was hired to replace Bruce Cassidy. Kelly McCrimmon was ridiculed by many, with critics calling him "crazy" and "out of his depth" (or something like that). Well, let me tell you that I was completely wrong about Tortorella.
The Golden Knights, aside from a blunder in, well, Seattle, have responded well to their new head coach. They close out the last eight games of the 2025-26 season by going 7-0-1 in that span. Not only that, but they've rediscovered their scoring touch that was dormant among players like Pavel Dorofeyev and Jack Eichel.
That hot streak and swagger is opening many eyes in the NHL, making Vegas one of the trendy Stanley Cup winning picks. The recent hot streak validates that, making them a tough out for anybody. So, who will Vegas face in the first round?
The Vegas Golden Knights will face off against the Utah Mammoth
The Vegas Golden Knights finally know who their first-round opponent will be for the Stanley Cup playoffs. After clinching the Pacific Division, they'll face off against the "newly" minted Utah Mammoth, who secured the first wild card spot.
Some notable names for Utah include Clayton Keller (26 goals and 60 assists), Nick Schmaltz (33 goals and 41 assists), and Karel Vejmelka (GAA of 2.73 and a save percentage of .897). Utah has a young energetic team that can beat anybody on the rush, making them pay with numerous transition goals.
This season, the Mammoth are 2-1-0 against the Golden Knights. However, the postseason could be a completely different animal. Will the relative inexperience in Utah be a problem, or will Vegas's age show in the series? Stay tuned.
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