On October 9, 2024, the Golden Knights played their first game of the 2024-2025 NHL Season. The first foe to step into the fortress was the Colorado Avalanche. The Golden Knights made a significant statement in their season opener. The “misfit mentality” held, and the Golden Knights buried the Avalanche with a final score of 8-4. Although the Knights dominated their first game, the journey into the 2024-2025 NHL season has been turbulent.
At the Fortress
The first three games for the Golden Knights showcased a show of force and desperate eagerness to start the new season strong. The Knights dominated the majority of the first game. However, the Colorado Avalanche did not go quietly. The second game (VGK vs St. Louis Blues) and the third game, (VGK vs. Anaheim Ducks) were all competitive matches. The Golden Knights offense carried over their impressive rush abilities from previous seasons, but the defensive line seemed to lack the communication needed to shut down offensive plays from the opposing club.
While all three games presented a home-ice advantage, the Golden Knights did not win effortlessly. Each club made the Vegas hockey club battle for the win. One clear issue holding the Knights back was the breaking down of their blue lines. The Golden Knights’ defensive lines allowed competing players to walk the puck in during all three games. To add to the worry, the Knights struggled to clear pucks from their zone multiple times in the games. On the contrary, the VGK’s reputation for creating chances from thin air consistently paid off. The Knights also had impressive depth, with eleven different goal-scorers in their first three games.
The Three To the East
The road trip started for the Golden Knights when they faced off against the Washington Capitals on October 15. The Golden Knights disintegrated on the ice. Missing simple passes, lost puck battles, and rarely breaking out into the neutral zone. Chalk it up to jet lag, but the Knights were unrecognizable in the Washington matchup. Aching to redeem themselves after a flop for their first away game, the Golden Knights pushed hard against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Unfortunately, the defensive talent for the VGK continued to display highs and lows in their performance.
The final game in the East was against the Florida Panthers, which was arguably their most intense battle yet. In their third away game, the Golden Knights only seemed to improve after the first period (the general theme for each game thus far). However, the Knights did not back down from the Stanley Cup Champions and continued to throw the puck on the net. The game was back and forth for each club and continued after regulation. During overtime, the Golden Knights had two scoring chances but fell to the Panthers after an off-the-rush goal from Florida.
What This Means For Vegas
The first three games for the VGK ended in victory, but the latter for each game in the East. The Golden Knights have made exponential offensive pushes, but need to sustain puck possession. Better puck recoveries, pressure on the four checks, and cleaner passes need to be executed for more scoring chances. The Knights’ blue lines need to learn from one another. Many of the defensemen are playing on opposite wings and playing with new linemates altogether.
New Goaltender Ilya Samsonov has spoken on the adjustment to the defensive tactics (Time stamp 1:29) of the VGK, highlighting the unfamiliarity in the back end. As the Knights settle into their skates for this season, only time will tell what is in store for the VGK.
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