Vegas Golden Knights scouting report on a division rival with the Vancouver Canucks
The Vegas Golden Knights found themselves usurped by the Vancouver Canucks in the Pacific Division. What must they do to regain the throne?
The Vancouver Canucks came out of nowhere to win the Pacific Division last season, surprising hockey pundits and fans alike. They finished with a record of 50-23-9 and 109 points, coming within a game of eliminating the Edmonton Oilers.
They also had superstars such as James Norris Memorial Trophy winner, Quinn Hughes (75 assists, 92 points in 2023-24), and Elias Pettersson (34 goals, 89 points) emerge, turning them into a Stanley Cup threat. With their newfound success, fans aren't going to forget about the Canucks anytime soon.
In fact, the entire NHL will remember Vancouver for the next few years. They have a solid goaltender in Thatcher Demko, a Vezina Trophy finalist (he finished second). Although injury concerns could keep him out for the start of the 2024-25 season, fans will watch intently to see how well he'll perform.
Of course, their talent stems beyond Hughes, Demko, and Pettersson. They also have a bottom-six group that rivals Vegas. They just re-signed Teddy Blueger for another two years and added Jake DeBrusk. There are also solid players such as Pius Suter, Dakota Joshua, and Conor Garland. The Canucks are a well-rounded threat that can punish any team.
However, that doesn't mean the Golden Knights can't beat them. There's a viable path for Vegas to defeat their Pacific Division adversaries and reclaim the crown. Hockey is a game of parity where unsuspecting teams can win it all.
So you're saying there's a chance...
Look at the Florida Panthers as a good example, where they were barely scratching past the first round a couple of seasons ago. Now, they're the Stanley Cup champions. Plus, Vegas will have new faces like Noah Hanifin for a full season. That should give them a chance to compete.
That's especially true with the stable ownership and front office the Vegas Golden Knights have had. No team has made six playoff appearances in seven seasons looks easy like Vegas. The Vancouver Canucks made it for the first time since 2012-13, bringing a promising youth movement to the team. Now, they reign as the Pacific Division champions.
So that leaves the Golden Knights wondering how they can be the kings of the Pacific again. What adjustments must they make to defeat their newfound adversaries? What opportunities are there to move past the Canucks? Here's the blueprint for regaining the throne.
How the Vegas Golden Knights can defeat the Vancouver Canucks during the season
One thing that stood out between the two teams was who scored first. The team that scored the first goal in all but one game won the matchup, finishing with a 3-1-0 record. Getting the jump on a tough Canucks team will be key for the Golden Knights to get to the divisional top again.
There's also the Demko factor to start the season. How long will he be out, if possible? There are concerns he won't be ready for training camp, which will affect his availability and his performance. There's such a thing as being game-ready compared to being athletic. If you're not game-ready, you'll lag behind.
That could provide an advantage for the Golden Knights for Vancouver has had their problems without their Vezina finalist. They were 15-9-7 without him, which exposed some issues in the Oilers series. How can you win against offensive juggernauts when you don't have your best goaltender? That's especially true when he posts a GAA of 2.45, a save percentage of .918, and five shutouts.
That could hurt Vancouver and leave points on the board. That's a golden opportunity for teams like the Golden Knights and Oilers, who want to claim the Pacific Division's top spot. After all, every point matters when you're fighting for the division title. With players like Noah Hanifin boosting the offense, that could make a difference.
A former Golden Knight to remember in Teddy Blueger
Back in 2022-23, the Vegas Golden Knights made a small move with the Pittsburgh Penguins. They acquired Latvian forward Teddy Blueger for a 2024 third-round pick and prospect Peter DeLiberatore. He might've had a quiet tenure with Vegas, scoring two goals and four assists in 18 games. But he won a Stanley Cup.
Now, he's with the Vancouver Canucks, bringing more meat to the bottom-six lineup. He serves as a key player on their first penalty kill unit, a role he similarly served in Vegas. He'll bring some takeaway effectiveness to the forecheck, along with some physicality.
With Blueger on the other side, the Golden Knights must defend him differently. He might hit some players occasionally. However, Vegas must get the jump on him and wear him down. In fact, that should be the go-to strategy for the Golden Knights altogether. Breaking down the opponent and building pressure on the forecheck will help Vegas return to the top.
How tough will the Vancouver Canucks be this season?
There's no doubt Vancouver will be a tough team for the Vegas Golden Knights in 2024-25. An array of goal scorers on every line makes it tough for any team competing for the Pacific Division. Throw in a Vezina finalist and the Vancouver Canucks will fight for the division crown again.
However, the Golden Knights can take advantage of a potential opportunity should the Canucks struggle out the gate. Not having a goalie who's 100% healthy can slow down any team. Vancouver is no exception to the rule, especially when the Edmonton Oilers are lurking.
The Golden Knights will kick the tires on some newer additions, such as Tomas Hertl and Noah Hanifin. These players will bolster different aspects, including the power play. If Vegas can get their special teams right for the upcoming season, they can get back the Pacific Division, where people aren't forgetting about them.
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