Many factors are attributed to the success of the Vegas Golden Knights. It doesn't matter if it's Jack Eichel, Bruce Cassidy, or an excellent 2017 Expansion Draft that started it all. The franchise has pressed the right buttons and achieved overwhelming accomplishments. How much, you ask?
Well, they only had one season where they missed the Stanley Cup playoffs, for starters (2021-22). This season looks like it's another playoff berth, i.e. business as usual. There are also the four semifinals appearances, two Stanley Cup Final appearances, and--say it with me, class--a 2023 Stanley Cup.
Of course, this doesn't come with its various detractors and critics. Many hockey fans have accused the Golden Knights of "circumventing the salary cap" through LTIR. Names like Shea Theodore and Mark Stone have come to mind, where fans have come up with wild conspiracy theories about faking spleen injuries. The things people will imagine, eh?
While all the focus has been on the Eichel's and Marc-Andre Fleury's of the world, one aspect has remained persistent throughout their existence. If you want to compare teams, the Buffalo Sabres have had the most significant change in this category (16.5%). Thus, you won't wonder why Buffalo has missed the playoffs since Osama Bin Laden was alive. So what aspect of the Golden Knights game has stood out the most?
The Vegas Golden Knights aren't committing many penalties
When it comes to penalties, the Sabres and Golden Knights are two different teams. One's got the fourth-most penalties in the NHL entering Friday with 588. The other has the fewest in the NHL with 338. Can you guess which one's which? I'll give you a hint. The team with the fewest has a six-point lead in the Pacific Division. The other? Dead last in the Atlantic Division.
It's a testament to Bruce Cassidy's discipline and commitment to playing sound hockey. It also eases the pressure off the penalty kill, which is 20th in the NHL (76.8%). Mind you, the Sabres are one spot above with a success rate of 76.9%. Masking your weaknesses by staying out of the penalty box shows Cassidy is one of the best head coaches in the league.
In fact, he's turned that principle on its head by drawing penalties. It's fed the third-best power play in the league (28.6%), giving names like Tomas Hertl (11 goals and eight assists) and Eichel (four goals and 23 assists) plenty of ammo. They're on track for their best power play in franchise history, seeking to carefully draw penalties instead of being penalized.
Not many people expected the Golden Knights to make it far this season. They were labeled as a first-round exit, with some experts even predicting they'll miss the Stanley Cup playoffs. However, the team has turned the tide by getting back to the basics. But this has been going on longer than this season.
The Golden Knights have committed fewer penalties per game than most NHL teams
Data was pulled from Hockey Reference from the last 11 seasons (this season included). This comes with Minnesota Wild right winger Ryan Hartman returning from an eight-game suspension on Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken. The cause? This roughing call on Tim Stutzle of the Ottawa Senators.
Ryan Hartman has been suspended for ten games for roughing Tim Stützle. pic.twitter.com/hDJJQrMMIl
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 4, 2025
Fun fact: The Vegas Golden Knights have been the least-disciplined team since 2017 (3.33 penalties per game entering Monday). They've had the second-lowest penalties committed percentage change when comparing this season to the past 10 seasons (-25.6%). The lowest? The New York Islanders with -25.9%. Ironically, the Buffalo Sabres had the most significant change at 16.5%.
There have been many staples throughout Golden Knights history. That includes the epic battles between Lee Orchard and evil and Le Castlevania playing before the players hit the ice. Disciplined hockey has also been a tenured part, building the winning brand known by everyone. It appears it'll be a lasting part of that tradition with the gang avoiding the penalty box as much as possible.