The Vegas Golden Knights finished a three-game road trip with four out of six possible points. You're probably thinking...
"Okay, so what's the big deal?"
Here's the deal, dear reader. The Golden Knights took down the Winnipeg Jets and Minnesota Wild, two of the top teams in the NHL now. They defeated superstars such as Connor Hellebuyck and Kirill Kaprizov, maintaining their position atop the Pacific Division.
Sure, there are some skeptics who will point out various flaws. That includes the following quotes:
"WeLl, FiLiP gUsTaVsSoN wAsN't In NeT. wHy DoEs It MaTtEr?"
"ThEy LoSt To CoNnOr McJeSuS oN sAtUrDay."
However, the verdict still stands when the Jets (45) and Wild (44) sit atop the NHL perch. The narrative that the Golden Knights can't beat good teams has festered like the body odor of a rabid anime fan who hates deodorant. Critics didn't forget those devastating losses to the Washington Capitals (twice) and Toronto Maple Leafs, pointing out the team's shortcomings on their podcasts.
But when you beat the best and second-best teams in the NHL (on the road, no less), that accounts for something. That something is momentum, a much-needed intangible that will carry the Golden Knights into a more forgiving stretch. No longer will they face the daunting task of scoring on a Vezina Trophy winner (for now, at least). Now they have a relaxing stretch to get healthy and work out the kinks.
How the Vegas Golden Knights are getting incredible gifts with home games for the Christmas (and holiday) season
Let's put matters into perspective for a second. The Vegas Golden Knights have an all-time record of 59-23-8 in the month of December. That's an impressive mark, especially when you consider they've amassed 126 points in the month.
Much has been made about Bruce Cassidy's early-season success, which has gotten them in the Stanley Cup playoffs in the past couple of seasons. However, the month of December has been as giving, providing a much-needed cushion for the Golden Knights.
Consider this as well. After Thursday's game against the Vancouver Canucks, the Golden Knights will face off against five teams out of playoff positioning for the rest of December. That includes a date on December 27 against Tomas Hertl's old team, the San Jose Sharks. William Karlsson will also get a crack against his old squad, the Anaheim Ducks, on December 23.
- December 21 against the Seattle Kraken
- December 23 against the Anaheim Ducks
- December 27 at the San Jose Sharks
- December 29 against the Calgary Flames
- December 31 against the Montreal Canadiens
- January 2 against the Philadelphia Flyers
- January 4 against the Buffalo Sabres
- January 7 at the San Jose Sharks
- January 9 against the New York Islanders
- January 11 against the New York Rangers
That's not all, though. That stretch continues into January, where the Golden Knights will face five more teams out of playoff positioning entering Monday. That includes games on January 2 against the Philadelphia Flyers and January 4 against... the Buffalo Sabres.
Death, taxes, and the Buffalo Sabres being absolute bilge. Not even Josh Allen could save that team.
Eight out of 10 home games against teams out of playoff position looks like a sweetheart deal, with the two against a team also out of playoff position. Even with a game on January 12 against the Minnesota Wild, the Golden Knights only face one team in playoff position for the next five games after (January 17 against the Carolina Hurricanes).
Are there some catches to this stretch?
From a historical standpoint, yes! The Philadelphia Flyers have always played the Vegas Golden Knights tough, carrying an all-time record of 6-5-2 against them. The Flyers always provide a trap game, especially with stars like Travis Konecny and Travis Sanheim.
Don't forget to account for Ivan Barbashev's upper-body injury in the whole ordeal. The Golden Knights lost their top-line winger to a scary tangle-up with Marcus Foligno on Sunday. If he misses significant time, that could pose a problem for Jack Eichel and the Golden Knights.
That will mean lineup adjustments, with players such as Tomas Hertl and William Karlsson getting new linemates. The good news is that stretch should give Barbashev time to heal before the schedule gets brutal. The Golden Knights won't encounter their next tough stretch of games until January 24. That starts with a road contest against the Dallas Stars, with two games against teams in playoff positions after (January 26 against the Florida Panthers and January 28 against the Dallas Stars).
Finally, you can't discount the two New York teams. Even with the Rangers and Islanders struggling, they're talented teams that can turn matters around instantly. That could turn the end of that ten-game stretch into a nightmare.
Still, a ten-game stretch dominated by home games against non-playoff teams is a dream scenario for the Golden Knights. They can rest any players still hurt, including Ivan Barbashev. It's almost like it's too good to be true.