Vegas Golden Knights Cant Stay Down: Oilers Temporarily Steal Top Spot

The Vegas Golden Knights have had an interesting year, to say the least. Although their homestand was momentous, their road game well… failed to launch. After some hard matchups, injuries, and a hard push past the blue line, the Golden Knights were able to capture the crown in the Pacific division. Struck with a losing streak, they have officially entered a close battle for top-slot.

Vegas Golden Knights 2024-2025 Season So Far

The start of the 2024-2025 NHL season was a whiplash of emotions for fans. Dominating the ice at home, but flailing on the road. The Vegas Golden Knights were triumphant at home, but it took four games on the road to finally come out on top. William Karlsson made a late start for his season debut due to his recovery from a past injury. Victor Olofsson also vacated the bench due to a temporary injury. With the new additions to the lineups, the club had clear growing pains on the ice but was finally able to capitalize later on. 

While the Vegas Golden Knights, including the majority of the NHL teams, are no strangers to injury, the Knights are strangers to peer pressure. As the resident “Dark Horse” of the NHL, and one of the most scorned clubs, (usually for the questionable treatment of the players from management) the disdain is often the fuel for the Knights’ victories. Captain Mark Stone has testified in favor of the hate the club receives, claiming:

“As I’m older I have realized that people are going to put a bullseye on our back because they want to see us fail,” Stone said. “We haven’t failed too much in our history. People want to see the Golden Knights crash and burn. But like I said, I think the foundation we built doesn’t really allow for that to happen. So, I’m feeling confident.”

The Recapture Of the Division #1 Slot

As the season has matured, the VGK has been more proactive in its execution. More pucks on goal, better blue line activity, more urgency in the first periods, and closing out games in the third. Although their throne was well earned, given their rocky start, the three-streak losing streak had the Knights at odds with the Edmonton Oilers. Each club has mirrored the other, with Vegas slightly pulling the favor. The Vegas Golden Knights currently are 31-15-4, while Edmonton is 31-15-3. After the Knights’ loss against the Dallas Stars 3-4 on January 24th, 2025, and Edmonton’s win against the Buffalo Sabres the next day, Edmonton stole the top slot. 

The Vegas Golden Knights are back on top as they demolished the Florida Panthers 4-1 on Sunday. Fueling the hate and adding the points, the Knights truly never back down. Many have their bets placed on Vegas to pull ahead. In the last six years, if anyone has learned a lesson in the NHL, it is to never bet against the Vegas Golden Knights.

As Playoffs Approach, Who Will Be the Top Seed?

Star Oiler Connor McDavid is officially back from his three-game suspension. The Oilers face off against the Seattle Kraken tonight and are expected to obliterate Seattle. The Golden Knights play against the Dallas Stars again tomorrow, offering them a chance to turn around their recent loss to the Stars.

With Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl reunited, the VGK has a tough challenge ahead. The infamous duo is arguably the best pairing in the league and is utterly untouchable when in sync. While it may seem like a tug of war for the top slot, we can only hope that one pulls as the 2024-2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs approach.