If there was a general theme to describe the Vegas Golden Knights in January, it's this.
The Golden Knights have an overall record of 43-34-13, including a record of 6-6-3 this season. The month has seen the team struggle on even-strength opportunities and Adin Hill fall back to earth. In turn, it's left fans in a panic.
"When will the team snap out of this funk?"
"Is this 2021-22 all over again?"
Sure, these theories and speculations might be as crazy as Travis Kelce trying to grab attention from the masses. But it feels like the sky is falling. Bruce Cassidy doesn't seem to have an answer right now, despite shuffling the lineup to fit his team. Tomas Hertl also needs help generating offense since he can't be the only Golden Knights star scoring.
Which leads us to February, the month after January. Surely, this month should be much kinder to the Golden Knights than that cruel period preceding it, right? It can't get any worse from here, especially with the team in the middle of another Stanley Cup run. After all, you could be a team like the San Jose Sharks, mired in last place in the division.
Is February still a month to panic? Or is it more gentle and "loving" (get it? Valentine's Day) than its preceding month? Should Cassidy sacrifice some chickens to the hockey gods? Here's a historical look at what February brings for the Vegas Golden Knights and if it's as mean-spirited and harsh as its winter predecessor.
The Golden Knights have an all-time record of 43-29-7 in the month of February
In terms of greatness, February has only been slightly better than January. The month has seen the Golden Knights achieve an all-time record of 43-29-7. That difference is as minute as the Buffalo Bills being inches from a first down.
But how has the team done on a yearly basis? Have the Golden Knights achieved success in specific seasons? Here's a breakdown of their individual seasons in February and what they can tell us about their success during each year.
Season | Record in February |
|---|---|
2017-18 | 8-5-1 |
2018-19 | 5-7-1 |
2019-20 | 10-2-1 |
2020-21 | 7-3-0 |
2021-22 | 3-4-1 |
2022-23 | 6-1-2 |
2023-24 | 4-5-1 |
One thing that stands out from the individual seasons is how successful the Golden Knights were after February was done. For example, 2019-20 was a season that saw Vegas go 10-2-1 in February. Despite the regular season being shortened by COVID-19, the team still managed to get to the Western Conference Final.
It's the same thing as when they made the Stanley Cup Final twice. 2017-18 saw the Golden Knights achieve a record of 8-5-1, while they had a record of 6-1-2 in their Stanley Cup-winning season. Meanwhile, the seasons where Vegas weren't achieving a winning record saw them get eliminated in the first round, at best.
What does it say about the current team? Well, they better start turning things around. That's especially true with a hated divisional rival like the Edmonton Oilers competing with you for the Pacific Division. Otherwise, it will be another early exit where fans will start coining the term, "Vegas Golfin' Knights." Nobody in Las Vegas wants to hear that. Believe me.