The 2026 NHL Winter Classic pits the Florida Panthers against the New York Rangers. Fans will see the lovable Brad Marchand take on superstars like Adam Fox and the New York Rangers. But when you bring up those two words, Vegas Golden Knights fans cringe.
Why? Well, they had one appearance in the annual contest in 2024 against the Seattle Kraken. Let's just say that the game was an absolute disaster for the Golden Knights as they were shut out, 3-0. It remains the only shutout in the event's history, leaving a black mark on Vegas's history.
Oh sure, it's great news for guys like Joey Daccord, who got a shutout that day. He was as happy as a fish being tossed in Pike Place Market. Certain podcasters were rubbing their Nipsey Hussles over the victory like they were in a South Park episode. Finally! The Kraken have a greater expansion story than the Golden Knights.
However, it was a trail of disasters for Vegas. They were injured, not having key stars like Shea Theodore around. They were also out in the elements, dealing with a bitter cold that was unfamiliar to them in Las Vegas.
The 2024 Winter Classic loss to the Seattle Kraken has similar parallels to the Vegas Golden Knights' current situation
Imagine this. Sir Mix-A-Lot is out in the frigid cold rapping. You can see dozens of people tossing fish like they're back in the marketplace. Their cold breaths are visible in the cold temperatures that are roughly 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
January 1st, 2024, was a night made for the Seattle Kraken. It had the spunk and personality often associated with the Seattle Mariners, who've become the proverbial lovable losers of sports. So why not give them a win out of pity for the beleaguered baseball team that hasn't seen a World Series?
While you're at it, watch Daccord stop all 35 shots and see the Kraken score a goal every period. That has been the Golden Knights' experience in December. The team didn't have key players like Theodore and Adin Hill during the 2024 Winter Classic, yet they're in a simlar situation.
Aside from the aforementioned injuries, the team has struggled to play a full 60 minutes throughout the 2025-26 season. Take Wednesday's game against the Nashville Predators as a perfect example. The Predators have prided themselves on being pesky and acting like rabbits in the past month. After the Golden Knights took a 2-0 lead, Nashville scored four unanswered goals. That included a Michael Bunting hit on Brayden McNabb and Keegan Kolesar being called for a 10-minute penalty.
Golden Knights fans hope that their next Winter Classic appearance isn't as sloppy as 2024... and for a current turnaround
Looking back at that Winter Classic, it looked like the perfect game in 2024. Two Pacific Division teams, let alone two expansion teams, took center stage for everyone to see. While it wasn't the result that people wanted in Las Vegas, there are some things that Golden Knights fans are hoping will change.
That starts with getting healthy before the dreaded month of January. Jack Eichel is expected to return soon, giving the Golden Knights all-around stability. While losing players like Theodore and Brayden McNabb will be a setback, having players like Eichel and Hill back will definitely help.
That also means correcting some things on the defensive end. Bruce Cassidy talked about how the Golden Knights must stop long-range shots better after Wednesday's loss. That's a good place to start for Vegas. Why not build off that and work your way up while watching the Winter Classic festivities in Miami?