Observations about the Golden Knights’ 2025-26 schedule

Season nine for the Vegas Golden Knights is officially on the horizon.

On Wednesday, the NHL released the official schedule for the 2025-26 season, meaning the Golden Knights know when they are facing the other 31 NHL teams and vice versa.

After last season’s disappointing finish at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers, the Golden Knights went all out to make another run at the Stanley Cup. No move highlighted this mentality more than the move to acquire superstar forward Mitch Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs. With Marner now in the fold, the Golden Knights are hoping that they are as dangerous on the ice this season as they appear on paper.

Looking through the schedule, here are some quick observations that can be made.

Starting out fast

For fans who could not wait for the Golden Knights to get back in action, they will like how the schedule begins.

The regular season begins with the Golden Knights‘ home opener against the Los Angeles Kings on Oct. 8, part of a season-opening doubleheader on TNT. It is quickly followed by the Knights taking to the road to face the San Jose Sharks the following night, then heading to the Pacific Northwest for a date with the Seattle Kraken on Oct. 11. Three games in four days poses a set of problems for Vegas early on, so they will need to be well-rested to get off to a fast start.

The games against the Kings and Sharks are the first of 12 back-to-backs for the Golden Knights, with only two of them having both games at home.

Return of the king

The scorn and derision faced by Jack Eichel every time he returns to Buffalo is going to pale in comparison to what Marner has waiting for him in Toronto.

Despite being the hometown hero when he was drafted in 2015, Toronto’s continued failures in the postseason was often attributed to Marner. Leafs fans will have to wait for his return until Jan. 23, when the Golden Knights head to Toronto for the only time this season. Before that, however, Marner’s first chance at revenge will come the week prior, when the Leafs travel to T-Mobile arena on Jan. 15.

The downside to both of these matchups is that they are both the second game of a back-to-back for the Golden Knights; they face the Kings and Boston Bruins on the road the night before the first and second games, respectively.

Sending Ovi off

Most reports have indicated that this season will be the last of Alexander Ovechkin’s storied career, and the Golden Knights will be one of the final teams to say farewell to the greatest goal-scorer in NHL history.

On March 28, just a few short weeks before the end of the season, Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals make their only trip to T-Mobile Arena, where Knights fans will get one more chance to watch No. 8 in person. Las Vegas holds some great memories for Ovechkin, especially when he hoisted the Stanley Cup for the only time in his career when the Capitals defeated the Golden Knights in the 2018 Stanley Cup Final. With the goal record already his, Ovechkin faces no pressure as the NHL likely bids farewell to the first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Of course, the Golden Knights are going to want to do everything in their power to prevent adding another tally or two as Ovechkin hopes to widen the gap on his record.

The chance at glory

For the first time in their franchise history, the Golden Knights will be sending players to participate at the Winter Olympics.

Between Feb. 6-25, the NHL will be on pause as the best players in the world represent their countries at the 2026 Milano Cortina. Jack Eichel and Jonas Rondbjerg have already been selected for the United States and Denmark, respectively, and they will likely be joined by some of their teammates when the rest of the rosters get announced later this year. It is another chance for the Golden Knights to represent their respective nations, with last season’s 4 Nations Face Off being a resounding success.

The Olympic break marks the longest stretch away from Vegas for the Golden Knights, as the team goes on a five-game road trip out of the break before returning home to face the Minnesota Wild on March 6.