Opening Knight of the 2024-2025 NHL regular season kicks off tonight. The Golden Knights open their season against the Colorado Avalanche in the fortress at 10:00 p.m. EST. Both clubs have had quite the offseason, but we finally get to see how each has prepared for professional competitive hockey. After what seems like eons of waiting, the NHL season is finally here.
Golden Knights and Avalanche Preseason Interactions
Opening Knight will match these two hockey clubs once again. During the 2024-2025 NHL Preseason, the Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche faced off on two occasions. On Tuesday, October 1, the VGK visited the “Mile High City” for the first interaction between the clubs this preseason. During the game, the Golden Knights set a precedent for NHL-level gameplay. The Colorado Avalanche struggled to function under the sheer force of the Golden Knights’ offensive ability.
The Golden Knights had five different men score goals: Tanner Pearson, Brendan Brisson, Joe Fleming, Zach Aston-Reese (two goals), and Tanner Laczynski. As evidence of the Vegas club’s depth, they washed out Colorado in the 6-1 game. Game five of the preseason was not as fruitful for the Golden Knights. Although they did not come out on top during this matchup, they had superior gameplay to the Colorado Avalanche. Despite a sluggish first period for the Golden Knights, not connecting passes or having consensus on plays, the remaining periods took place in the Colorado Avalanche’s defensive zone.
The Vegas club went from “just met” to a well-acquainted organization. Intelligent passing, pressure on the four-check, and superb puck recovery ultimately could not earn the win for the Golden Knights. The final score of the game was 3-1.
Each Club’s Strengths
Opening Knight for the Golden Knights is guaranteed to be as exciting as expected. Many players during the preseason games have impressed viewers. Fresh new faces fitting into big-league skates with the fast-paced hockey and veterans continuing to perform, the Golden Knights’ depth is momentous. The Golden Knights had sixteen different goal scorers in the six games of the preseason. Players who did not score still showed exceptional hockey sense.
In the early games, Ilya Samsonov for example, made shocking saves despite his small stature. The Golden Knights “misfit mentality” continues to drive this club, entering the opening Knight as a serious competitor. The Colorado Avalanche offers large, intimidating players and a lack of consistency. Colorado has underdelivered in their last two seasons compared to the expectations placed on the club. The Colorado Avalanche have untapped potential, but whether they live up to it is usually a gamble.
Heading into an opening knight, the Avalanche are down two formidable players. Gabriel Landeskog and Valeri Nichushkin will both be absent tonight. Landeskog has had trouble with his knee for a few seasons now, but the date of his return is still unknown. Nichushkin is suspended due to a failed drug test and will be forbidden from entering the rink until roughly mid-November.
What To Expect Tonight
When it comes to brass tax, ice hockey is an unpredictable game. Although the Golden Knights have continued to improve their new lines and their suffocating offense, they have shown some growing pains amid new linemates. The biggest question surrounding the Colorado Avalanche is: will they get it together on opening knight?
The Avalanche is one of the most intimidating clubs in the NHL when they decide to be, but losing five out of the six preseason games is not an encouraging result. Regardless, opening Knight will be a spectacle for Knights fans and Avalanche fans alike. Despite who will perform and who will struggle this season questions, at the end of the day, opening knight is here.
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