For the third straight season the Golden Knights sit first or second in the Pacific Division standings by Christmas Day. The evidence is clear, under Bruce Cassidy, Vegas has become the most prepared team coming out of training camp for three consecutive years. No other franchise has been as consistent through the first 30+ games since 2022.
In 2022-23, the Golden Knights went into the Christmas break in first place and remained there for the entire season. Last year, Vegas couldn’t hold their late December first place position and entered the postseason as the eighth seed. This season expect the Golden Knights to clinch the division and conference or close to it. A second half dip is unlikely to repeat itself.
Sure, it’s painful to rehash the Golden Knights miserable slip in 2024 but it should be noted that it began around this time last year. From January 1st, 2024 to the end of the regular season, Vegas was the 22nd best team in the NHL. Or you can the Golden Knights were the eighth worst team based on points and points percentage.
We’ve got a lot of wins, a lot of comebacks. We’ve just shown how strong we are as a team. We just have to keep pushing. -Tomas Hertl
To match their dreadful second half play the Golden Knights would likely have to go on several three-game losing streaks, drop four games in a five game road trip and/or lose to Arizona, Vancouver and Edmonton in three consecutive games in April. The Golden Knights will have a chance to make up for the missed opportunities of last winter and spring. Certainly, it’s on Cassidy’s mind.
VGK Early Record Under Bruce Cassidy
- 2022-23: 1st Place by Christmas, Finished season in 1st Place
- 2023-24: 1st Place by Christmas, Finished season in 8th Place
- 2024-25: 1st Place by Christmas
So, while you’re opening presents tomorrow on Christmas Day keep in mind that the Golden Knights are in a great position to enter the 2025 postseason as a top seed. They achieved that goal in 2022-23 and have the same path to do it again two years later. Plus, they’re already ahead of the pace. More than likely Vegas will end December with more than 16 points. In all of December, 2023 the Golden Knights collected only 16 points.
Considering the Golden Knights were ousted in the opening round of the playoffs, players aren’t overly concerned with first half alignments. It’s likely an empty feeling. Sorta like leaving Santa Claus only one fresh gingerbread cookie. Sure, it’s tasty but the fat man needs a lot more than one.
