The Vegas Golden Knights have had a relatively successful record against the Calgary Flames all-time. They're 16-8-2 against their division rivals and have a stronghold on their opponents. However, this season seems a little... different.
You see, the Flames went into the last week of the regular season fighting for a playoff spot. Ultimately, they were eliminated and didn't make the Stanley Cup playoffs. However, they put the NHL on notice.
They were supposed to be in a lengthy rebuild after trading away players like Noah Hanifin and Jacob Markstrom. There was no juice left in the tank and they needed a hard reset... at least, that's what everyone was told. Apparently, the Flames didn't get the memo and got 96 points, being eliminated by St. Louis on a tiebreaker.
Still, teams like the Golden Knights have taken notice. They're paying attention to what this team did last season and aren't sure what to make of this current iteration.
"Are they competitive? Are they going to stink?"
"Where does this team lie heading into the 2025-26 season?"
That's the big question as the Golden Knights tackle the Flames. They could sneak into the playoff picture and face Vegas in the first round. They could also be ugly and finish at the bottom of the Pacific Division. Who could be a problem for the Golden Knights in the upcoming season?
Key Flames that the Golden Knights should watch for in 2025-26
Obviously, one name that comes up is Rasmus Andersson. He's been linked to the Golden Knights during the offseason and with good reason. The Swedish defenseman plays a solid two-way game similar to Alex Pietrangelo. Whether those rumors continue to persist remains to be seen. However, one thing's certain. He'll be on Vegas's radar regardless of whether they acquire or play against him.
Another name to watch for is Dustin Wolf. The seventh-round pick looks to become a netminder mainstay for Calgary. Last season, he had a GAA of 2.64, a save percentage of .910 (tied for ninth in the NHL), and three shutouts. He could be a problem for the Golden Knights heading into 2025-26.
Finally, there's Matt Coronato. The 22-year-old scored 24 goals and 23 assists last season, providing an offensive spark for Calgary. He's supposed to be one of the young offensive pieces that the Flames will rely on in the upcoming years. Containing him whenever Vegas plays Calgary will be key to winning.
Are the Flames a threat to the Golden Knights this season?
Honestly, it's tough to say. Last season, Calgary went 1-1-2 against the Golden Knights, taking Vegas to the limit in the last two games. But one could say this team is as boring as the Yukon area.
Yet, this team can be as scary as Tilda Swinton. They have a goaltender that they believe in and they also have competent, young scorers. This could be a team that sneaks into a playoff spot this season and wreaks havoc.
For the Golden Knights, they're hoping the former will be who they'll face during the season. They want a team that won't resist much and will be a minor challenge. After all, isn't that what we all want in life? Some of us need a break from the heat, you know.