My friends, the month of January is over. That means you don't have to watch the Vegas Golden Knights suffer in the treacherous month anymore (at least until next season). What's even better than January being frozen for later like Mariah Carey before Christmas? The Golden Knights having a two-week break before their next game.
They'll play their next home game on February 22 against a struggling Vancouver Canucks team trying to stop J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson from fighting. If you were thinking the defenseman, Elias Pettersson, was picking a fight, I've got some news for you.
Anyway, it's time to send the first month of the new year to the pits of hell where it belongs. Overall, the Golden Knights had a record of 6-6-3. Sure, that seems decent on the surface... if you're a team like San Jose. However, there were lost opportunities for points. Take Thursday's game as an example.
The team was able to outshoot the Columbus Blue Jackets in the game, 26-24. However, they were worn down as the game progressed. Why? Columbus outhit them, 18-10, breaking the team down along the way. It resulted in a home loss at T-Mobile Arena as Alex Pietrangelo turned the puck over in overtime. It was the same story on January 9 against the New York Islanders. The Islanders controlled every aspect of the game, outhitting the Golden Knights, 19-12. Sure, they outshot New York, 30-21. But what good does it do when you're not getting quality chances on the net?
Overall, January hasn't been kind to the Vegas Golden Knights
This season hasn't been the only time where the Vegas Golden Knights have struggled in January. Overall, their record in the first month of the year is underwhelming. How bad, you ask? They have an all-time record of 43-34-13 in January.
January is officially over for VGK. It wasn't good but it wasn't their worst.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) January 31, 2025
VGK January Record
24-25: 6-6-3
23-24: 7-5-1
22-23: 4-6-2
21-22: 4-4-3
20-21: N/A
19-20:4-5-1
18-19: 6-4-0
17-18: 7-3-2
Usually, that's when the injuries ramp up and the team starts getting tired. Some have even said the team just... doesn't care. They're waiting for March to pick up, where they have an all-time record of 59-32-6. It happens to be when the hockey picks up and the hunt for the playoffs kicks in. Will it happen again? Stay tuned, dear reader.
The March schedule ins't a cakewalk, either
Don't expect March to be easy, either. The Golden Knights have a tough slate of games that could challenge their current standing. The fun starts on March 2nd with a game at T-Mobile Arena against the New Jersey Devils (64 points), followed by another home game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 5th. The Los Angeles Kings also come to town on March 9th and they're in the thick of a playoff race. Other tough home games include the Boston Bruins (March 20) and the Tampa Bay Lightning (March 23).
Of course, there are challenging road contests as well. One notable road game will challenge the Golden Knights: March 25 at the Minnesota Wild. However, there's a four-game road trip that will challenge the team. Games against the Columbus Blue Jackets (March 13) and Detroit Red Wings (March 16) will give the team trouble. Mind you, that Red Wings game will be the second half of a back-to-back.
That's why Golden Knights fans shouldn't sleep on the upcoming schedule. Anything could happen and derail any hopes of a long playoff run. Just look at what happened in 2021-22. The team was dealt countless injuries and missed the playoffs. Their record in March that season? 8-8-0. Average doesn't cut it for a team looking to win another Stanley Cup.