The Henderson Silver Knights keep ascending with the latest franchise marks

Where did this Henderson Silver Knights team come from? After clinching a Calder Cup playoff spot, the team isn't done achieving high marks in the AHL world. After a big 3-1 victory over the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Wednesday, the Silver Knights find themselves in third place in the Pacific Division.

Yes, you read that right. No, this isn't a typo. Henderson has 83 points, which is a franchise record, mind you. However, that's not the only franchise record that the team has set this season.

A franchise-record 36 wins and a franchise-record 11-game point streak on the road makes this one of the best teams in franchise history. Of course, this is a low bar to clear, considering that Henderson has been historically mediocre. However, the Silver Knights are setting a new standard for AHL hockey in Nevada.

Could that translate into a long Calder Cup playoff run? That could be the case for the Silver Knights, who are rolling at the right time. With solid players like Carl Lindbom, Braeden Bowman, and Trevor Connelly carrying the team, Henderson looks like they could be a problem come playoff time.

Why this season feels vastly different for the Henderson Silver Knights

One can attribute the team's success to Ryan Craig getting the most out of this team. The Silver Knights are responding positively and are ascending at the right time, making them a force to be reckoned with. While that's certainly true, there's more to the story than just the head coach.

We're talking about the aforementioned superstars like Lindbom, Bowman, and Connelly. You're also looking at key players like Tanner Laczynski and Kai Uchacz stepping up. These players have created a winning environment alongside Bowman, Lindbom, and Connelly, turning Henderson into an absolute wagon.

That's what makes this team different from past iterations. The Silver Knights have plenty of star power that makes them a threat to teams like the Colorado Eagles and the Ontario Reign. It doesn't matter if it's a red-hot goaltender like Lindbom (16-0-1 since the All-Star Break for Henderson) or a wave of solid scorers. Henderson is positioning itself for a strong Calder Cup run.

Here's the other thing about the Silver Knights: red-hot teams tend to make noise during any playoff setting. Normally, these teams have one position that gets set on fire (think of the 2012 Los Angeles Kings with the goaltending), leading to greater things down the road. If Lindbom can continue playing well in the net for the Silver Knights, there's no telling how far this team will go.

All of this leads to a potential long run for Henderson. They've shown glimpses of brilliance throughout the 2025-26 season, turning into one of the league's hottest teams. That could shock countless hockey fans in the desert and turn an entire state into believers. Imagine what that could do for the franchise if they won it all...