How Having the Toughest Home-Ice Advantage Helps

A recent player's poll stated that T-Mobile Arena was the toughest place to play in the NHL. Receiving 31.36% of the vote, the Las Vegas venue almost doubled up the second-place winner, PNC Arena, in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The statement has proven true over the years, with the Vegas Golden Knights holding a home record of 167-79-20. During their seven-year run, the Golden Knights have won a Stanley Cup and made two Stanley Cup Finals appearances, adding more credence to the claim.

So what makes T-Mobile Arena unique? What about Las Vegas is it a nightmare for opposing NHL players? It certainly can't be the casinos and nightlife that Sin City offers, is it?

1. T-Mobila Arena Encapsulates the Entire Las Vegas Experience

When you head to T-Mobile Arena, you expect to see a hockey game. However, fans will get more than that. They're getting a show, consisting of pre-game theatricals by Lee Orchard, aka "THE Golden Knight." They're getting a drumline building up the tension. They're getting a Las Vegas celebrity cranking the pre-game horn.

The theatricals might be visually entertaining for the fans. But they also get the crowd pumped up. The pre-game festivities is an experience unto itself, leaving fans in a fever pitch.

2. But It Isn't Just the Arena Itself

Give credit to Kelly McCrimmon, George McPhee, and Bill Foley for building an incredible roster from the top down. They've made bold moves to bring in the NHL's best, from Jack Eichel to Tomas Hertl.

But it's also under-the-radar moves, acquiring players like Mark Stone, Jonathan Marchessault, and Chandler Stephenson. These players didn't appear to be much under the surface. However, they've become household names for the Vegas Golden Knights, making the team a bigger threat.