Wednesday "Knight" wisdom about... preparing for the cold (sort of)

With hockey season returning comes the cold weather. While Las Vegans would prefer this over the heat, here's how to prepare for it, anyways.

2023 NHL Stanley Cup Final - Game Two
2023 NHL Stanley Cup Final - Game Two | Bruce Bennett/GettyImages

There's no better feeling in Las Vegas than when September rolls around. The weather gets chillier, the Raiders have returned to Allegiant Stadium, and hockey is around the corner. In fact, the 2024 Rookie Faceoff in El Segundo happens in two days, meaning fans will get their early fix. There's nothing like getting high off the sights and sounds of a hockey game, am I right?

But that means the Vegas Golden Knights will return to T-Mobile Arena for a fun-filled season. Fans have been waiting for this moment since the Dallas Stars eliminated Vegas in the Stanley Cup playoffs. With that return comes colder weather and people not having their skin melt off their bodies. September is a glorious time if you're an NHL fan, for you can see the finish line ahead.

This post will be dedicated to those arriving in Las Vegas as their new home. Let's give the new citizens a course on what to expect during the colder months. How must you dress for November through February? What are some pastimes you can explore while the weather cools down?

Let's start with watching the Vegas Golden Knights prospects at the upcoming Rookie Faceoff

The Rookie Faceoff is an annual competition that pits a team's top prospects against other franchises. It's meant to see what tomorrow will offer hockey fans, specifically those big on minor league and amateur hockey. If you're coming from, say, California, prepare your Vegas Golden Knights fandom by watching the games online.

Then the preseason comes, where the Golden Knights will play four warmup games at T-Mobile Arena. Take your pick from the litter because these games will get more expensive once the regular season rolls around. It doesn't matter if it's the Utah Hockey Club or San Jose Sharks. Just pick one!

Of course, that means dressing accordingly. Believe it or not, Las Vegas isn't a searing heat wave all year, which was something I learned immediately. Pools will close before November and open around February or March. Thus, you must bring a sweater and pants to Sin City, whether you're hiking or going to the park. Otherwise, you'll freeze your butt off dressing like you're going to the beach.

Finally, go to plenty of Golden Knights home games. The Rookie Faceoff might be a distant memory once the regular season rolls around. However, these games will mean something. Two points maximum will be on the line every night, which makes each game count. That's the beauty of hockey, for you have a fighting chance every night (except if you're the rebuilding San Jose Sharks. Then it's half the nights).

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