Vegas Golden Knights fans, March is upon us. It's that time where Jack Eichel and the gang gear up for yet another Stanley Cup playoff run. It's also that time where the sun starts getting uncomfortably hot to where everyone has sticky extremities. Prepare for your balls to stick like Silly Putty, fellas!
It's also the time where the Golden Knights heat up. Historically, the month has been kind to Las Vegas's resident hockey team. They've had an all-time record of 63-33-7 in March, making it flamingo season. This year is no different with the team sitting pretty atop the division this season.
Vegas has a record of 4-1-1 this month. That's much better than people think considering they suffered disastrous losses against the Los Angeles Kings and Pittsburgh Penguins. But fear not, dear reader. Like the sun getting ready to crank up the temperatures, the Golden Knights are warming up.
Looking at their impressive March run is even more eye-opening when viewed from a historical lens. It shows the team, especially with Bruce Cassidy behind the bench, knows how to prepare itself for the long run. It's become a trope of sorts, where fans lament about the long January and February months.
Of course, that's before the action heats up in March and it melts the ice. Which season has been the friendliest for the Golden Knights? Which month wasn't hot enough to melt someone's ice cream cone? Let's dissect this month from a historical perspective and avoid dissecting a leprachaun, shall we?
How the Vegas Golden Knights have done throughout March: A historical glance
Almost every season has seen the Vegas Golden Knights have a winning record in March. That includes 2018, when they went to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season. But looking at each year from a historical perspective paints a broader picture. That includes when the solo season that they missed the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Year | Record |
|---|---|
2018 | 9-5-2 |
2019 | 8-4-2 |
2020 | 3-2-0 |
2021 | 12-5-0 |
2022 | 8-8-0 |
2023 | 11-3-1 |
2024 | 8-5-1 |
2025 | 4-1-1 (current) |
Looking at 2022 and 2023 is telling for a couple of reasons. One, 2021-22 was the only season that the Golden Knights have ever missed the playoffs in franchise history. The next season was when they won the Stanley Cup. It proves that going on a hot streak during the month leads to greater things and determines how you'll do in the playoffs.
It comes against all-comers, whether Jack Eichel's on the ice or they're facing the Columbus Blue Jackets. Looking at Thursday's game, it showed a overall cohesiveness in the group, playing excellent defense throughout the game.
First, the breakouts kept the Blue Jackets on their toes during the game. It started after Nicolas Roy's power play goal and persisted the rest of the way. It's partially why the Golden Knights got a crucial win in a tough environment (it's also because Bruce Cassidy hates cannons). When you control the puck later on and can keep your opponent back-pedaling, it does all sorts of wonders.
It's also because everyone is on the same page
One other reason why the Golden Knights have been successful in March has been because of the goaltending. Adin Hill is a perfect example of this, carrying a career GAA of 2.74 and a career save percentage of .912 in March. Thursday's performance was no different for the starting goaltender, where he stopped all 27 shots for his fourth shutout.
But if you want more impressive stats, Marc-Andre Fleury has you covered. He has a career GAA of 2.37 and a career save percentage of .918 in March. That includes 17 shutouts (Hill only has four career shutouts in March). Prioritizing your netminder has been at the organizational forefront in Las Vegas, whether it's with the talent or the system being implemented.
It's funny how fans lose their collective minds when the team's in January or February. I mean, look at these all-time records and tell me they don't give you a pause.
Month | All-time record |
|---|---|
January | 43-34-13 |
February | 47-30-7 |
Luckily (or not), sticky ball season is coming around the corner. That means the hockey team is picking up steam as well. You don't want to miss Eichel or Hill catch on fire, do you?