Predicting the opener between the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche

The Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche are the most recent Western Conference teams to win the Stanley Cup. They did it through contrasting styles, with the Avalanche scoring a flurry of goals while the Golden Knights had excellent coaching and forechecking. It's a story of how teams play to their strengths, leading them to the top of the mountain.

These two teams will square off on Wednesday at T-Mobile Arena, and a heavyweight battle will set the tone for the 2024-25 season. Both clubs look to return to the Stanley Cup Final, led by megastars such as Jack Eichel and Hart Memorial Trophy winner, Nathan MacKinnon. The action will go down on TNT, which will also broadcast that same Stanley Cup Final this season (the Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup the last time it was broadcast on TNT).

For Colorado, they'll boast close to the same scoring unit from their 2021-22 Stanley Cup run. Aside from MacKinnon, there's also Mikko Rantanen and Jonathan Drouin leading the charge. The Avalanche are similar to the Golden Knights in they have scoring defensemen, including Cale Makar and Devon Toews. As for Vegas? They're strong down the middle, with big names like Eichel and Tomas Hertl.

So who wins tonight's colossal Western Conference matchup? Who has the upper hand as fans flock to T-Mobile Arena for fun festivities? Praise the lord that hockey season has returned because it's not the same without the beautiful sport. Here's a breakdown of what will happen in tonight's season opener.

How the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights will win

The Colorado Avalanche bolstered their forward group last season by acquiring Casey Mittelstadt from the Buffalo Sabres. They now have a top-six forward unit that can compete with anybody, making them a legitimate championship threat. Jonathan Drouin is also returning, giving Nathan MacKinnon another scoring option.

The Avalanche also boasts a solid blue line with offensive capabilities. Last season, Cale Makar scored 90 points for Colorado while Devon Toews had 38 assists. The duo will be heavily invested in running alongside MacKinnon and the top unit, setting up golden opportunities up front. If they get said opportunities consistently, it'll be an easy win for the Avalanche.

As for the Vegas Golden Knights, fans saw their team's power play take major steps. Historically, the unit's been subpar, not having players such as Tomas Hertl and Noah Hanifin. That's changed, with both players joining for their first full season with the Golden Knights. With Hertl cutting to the front of the net and Hanifin playing quarterback, that could be good news for Vegas tonight.

The Golden Knights are also similar to Colorado in how their blue line plays. Shea Theodore and Alex Pietrangelo act similarly to Toews and Makar, giving Vegas a spark for the top units. If they outplay the Avalanche's top pairing and pepper Alexandar Georgiev with shots, Vegas will win their sixth straight season opener.

Who wins the opener between the Avalanche and Golden Knights?

Let's be honest. The Colorado Avalanche can make the Stanley Cup Final again if Georgiev plays better. They have the skating pieces to compete with anyone in the Western Conference (and even the NHL overall). Boasting the reigning Hart Memorial Trophy winner puts you in the conversation for taking home the championship come June. That'll be no different for an Avalanche team with a solid top six unit and excellent defensive pairings.

But the Vegas Golden Knights are a different beast at home. They have a lifetime record of 170-80-20 at T-Mobile Arena. The NHL Player's Association even voted the venue as "the toughest arena to play in for an NHL game." That will be no different for tonight as Golden Knights fans satisfy their thirst for hockey.

So let's be impartial and say both teams will earn a point by taking the game to overtime tonight. It's a 2-2 affair with Mittelstadt and MacKinnon scoring goals for Colorado. Vegas will have goals scored by Hanifin and Mark Stone. Jack Eichel sends everyone home with a breakaway goal that leads to the Golden Knights winning their sixth straight season opener, leaving the home crowd happy and partying.