The Vegas Golden Knights shift their attention from the weak Montreal Canadiens to an equally mediocre Philadelphia Flyers team. The Canadiens are sitting in last place in the Atlantic Division with 16 points. They suffered another tough loss on Saturday, losing to the Golden Knights, 6-2.
As for the Flyers? They're tied for second-to-last in the Metropolitan Division with 20 points. Only the Pittsburgh Penguins have fewer points with 18. These teams are a stark contrast to the Golden Knights, who are in first place in the Pacific Division with 28 points.
Therefore, it should be expected that the Golden Knights should build off their 5-1-1 stretch in their last seven games. At least, that's how it should go.
Here's the tricky part of their upcoming game on Monday, dear reader. The Golden Knights have had some problems with their opponents. The Flyers have given the team fits, putting up surprising offensive numbers. That included massive periods where the opposing team scores three goals (or more) occasionally. In turn, it caused a bump in the road, leaving the Golden Knights struggling to gain points.
So how have the Golden Knights done all-time against their opponents for Monday? Has it been a session of below-.500 hockey? Or is it much more cheerful, with the black and gold sustaining surprising success? Let's see how they've done against their upcoming adversaries in their current five-game road trip.
The Vegas Golden Knights are 6-5-1 all-time against the Philadelphia Flyers
Normally, the Vegas Golden Knights have played at a .500 level or better against an average NHL team. That includes solid records against teams like the Ottawa Senators (12-1-1, points percentage of .893), San Jose Sharks (25-2-5, .859), and Chicago Blackhawks (13-2-3, .806). That's part of being a successful hockey team that has only missed the playoffs once in seven seasons.
But the Philadelphia Flyers are slightly different. They were much trickier to deal with, outscoring the Golden Knights, 37-31. In fact, they handed the Golden Knights their only season-opening loss on October 4, 2018. It ended up being a 5-2 victory, where Wayne Simmonds scored two goals.
However, that wasn't their worst loss to the Flyers. That came on October 21, 2019, as the Golden Knights lost, 6-2. The Flyers scored four second-period goals and had two power play goals in the game, leaving the Golden Knights wounded.
The series has only seen the Golden Knights win by more than one goal. That falls on March 14, 2023, when they won, 5-3. Ivan Barbashev scored two goals, consisting of a power play goal and an empty-netter. Jonathan Marchessault chipped in two assists, gaining two points from the ordeal.
Sometimes, you have that one team or person that's a pain in the butt. They don't do as you wish, obstructing your ultimate goal. That's what the Flyers are to the Golden Knights every time they face each other. They're the ultimate tricky team, causing chaos and make life a living nightmare for the black and gold.