Two things are held in high regard in the Vegas Golden Knights community. First are the "Original Misfits," a group of, well, rag-tag misfits who led the Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Final in the team's first season. Then, there are members of the 2022-23 Stanley Cup-winning team, who finished the story told by the "Misfits."
Golden Knights fans have gotten a taste of nostalgia in the past week, seeing old faces from both deep runs. It started with Marc-Andre Fleury getting a video montage and a standing ovation from the T-Mobile Arena crowd on Sunday. That was the last time the former Vezina Trophy winner will appear in Las Vegas, for he's set to retire after this season.
On Tuesday, the Golden Knights saw Jonathan Marchessault with his new team, the Nashville Predators. Vegas wasn't as successful against Nashville as they were against Minnesota, losing by a score of 5-3. That was despite Pavel Dorofeyev scoring a hat trick for the team, putting them within a goal in the third period.
Saturday will complete the mini-tour when the Golden Knights face Alec Martinez and the Chicago Blackhawks. The defenseman made his living blocking shots, totaling 677 in five seasons with the Golden Knights. He was also part of the 2023 team that won it all, vanquishing the Florida Panthers in five games. Have these players picked up where they left off since they left?
Nostalgia is a powerful medicine and Golden Knights fans have gotten a full dose
Let's start with Martinez and see how he's done this season. Offensively, he hasn't done much scoring, posting two goals and four assists in 18 games. But that's expected from a player relied upon to block shots. He's blocking 46 shots in that span, making him an effective defensive player when he's on the ice.
Jonathan Marchessault has 14 goals and 19 assists this season with Nashville. He started slow but has picked up his play in the past two months. He's scored 10 goals and 11 assists since November 30, becoming a more reliable goal scorer for the Predators. Sadly, Nashville is in the Central Division basement with Alec Martinez and the Blackhawks, sitting in seventh place with 37 points.
The Golden Knights are seeing Marc-Andre Fleury play well in a limited role, posting a GAA of 2.54 and a save percentage of .910 in 14 games. These nostalgia trips have been rewarding for Vegas Golden Knights fans. They've been reminded of how these players once contributed to a great cause in Las Vegas, shocking the hockey world in the process. As a result, they've etched their names in the franchise's history, immortalizing themselves among the fanbase. That's what made these three games special. They say nostalgia is extremely powerful and these mini-reunions show it.
Granted, two of these games were on the road. However, Golden Knights fans from "Day F****** One" have enjoyed seeing old faces thriving with their new teams. The trips down memory lane will give them a blast from the past, bringing a smile to their faces. The future is even brighter, where the team looks to add another Stanley Cup (and more memories) to the team's collection.