The Golden Knights get hosed out of a second Winter Classic appearance

The Utah Mammoth got a nice little surprise to go with its newest home. They're getting a Winter Classic in 2027 at the Utah Utes' home base. Hockey purists breathed a sigh of relief as the annual event is finally steering away from warm-weather cities. Certainly, the Vegas Golden Knights would be involved, despite the last Winter Classic debacle, right?

Instead, it'll be the Colorado Avalanche who will face the Mammoth in next season's event. And who can blame them? The Avalanche is the NHL's best team with 69 points (nice) entering Thursday. Nathan MacKinnon has been his usual gigastar, yet angry, self. The goaltending has also been stellar, putting Colorado at the top of the hierarchy.

The Mammoth are also a tough cookie to crack this season. Names like Clayton Keller and Dylan Guenther have carried the scoring, turning Utah into a deadly dark horse. If they can crack through the Western Conference logjam, it would make next year's Winter Classic much more palatable.

But the NHL could've also gone in a different direction by leaning on the whole "expansion" angle. Okay, the Mammoth relocated from Glendale, Arizona, so this whole thing would be washed. But the Golden Knights were screwed out of a second chance at cold glory during the New Year's festivities.

Why the Vegas Golden Knights could've made for a better opponent for the Utah Mammoth at next season's Winter Classic

First, what better way to rile up the haters than to put the Golden Knights in the premier outdoor event? Given the general proximity that Las Vegas has to Salt Lake City (421 miles, compared to Salt Lake City to Denver at 519 miles), it would make more sense for the NHL to give it to Vegas.

That's especially true with the Golden Knights becoming a bigger brand since the team's inception. Big names like Mitch Marner, Marc-Andre Fleury, and Jack Eichel have graced T-Mobile Arena's ice over the years, bringing two Stanley Cup Finals and a Stanley Cup. That edges out Colorado's one Stanley Cup in 2022, with Vegas having consistent playoff success.

Finally, the Golden Knights need to redeem themselves in an outdoor game. Already, they don't have enough outdoor games compared to the Avalanche. But after the first Winter Classic debacle, it only makes sense to give Vegas a crack at another win. This time, Joey Daccord isn't allowed here!

Okay, I'll admit that the Golden Knights have a case that was as compelling as the Colorado Avalanche. It's literally a coin flip to see which team could've been the ideal opponent for the Mammoth. But you can't deny that Vegas would be a viable opponent for Utah in the annual game, whether it's the proximity or its recent success. Oh well, maybe we can anger everyone and have the event at Allegiant Stadium.