No Stanley Cup Hangover for These Knights

Mark Stone raising lord Stanley's cup in 2023. CNN-Steve Almasy

No Stanley Cup Hangover for this year’s Golden Knights. They have started the new campaign off red hot, 6-0, and first in the Pacific division. They are second in the league if goals for and sixth in the league in goals against. The due of Adin Hill and Logan Thompson have been superb so far, sporting 93.4 (Hill) and a 93.5% save percentage in the early going. Hill has seen the bulk of the starts so far, four of the six, with Thompson getting the other two games. The Knights are averaging over four goals a game while only allowing 1.8 goals a game.

While both Hill and Thompson have been stellar in net, Jack Eichel has been terrific to start the young season with three goals and three assists. People might forget that Jack was the 2nd overall pick behind Connor McDavid in the 2015 entry draft. Eichel is only one piece to the offensive depth for this Vegas team. Chandler Stephenson leads the team in points with seven, two goals, and five assists. Bottom six center Nick Roy has four points, three goals, and one helper. This Knights team is extremely depth in the forward group. It’s a tough task for any team to try and come into T-Mobile stadium and try and stop all four of their lines. Jonathan Marchessault, Mark Stone, and William Karlsson add to the firepower for this forward group.

The Knights have controlled the puck early and often while on even strength. Nick Roy 59.7% and William Karlsson 56.1 Corsi for controlling the puck during their time on the ice, which is above the likes of Eichel, who so far has a 54.4% Corsi. While the forward group is strong, the blue line is just as difficult to match up with. The likes of Shea Theodore, Brayden McNabb, Nick Hague, the currently Injured Alex Pietrangelo, and Zach Whitecloud make life miserable for opposing teams.

With Wins over Seattle, San Jose, Anaheim, Dallas, Winnipeg, and Chicago to start this young season, it has me wondering if 10-0 possible??? The next four games are home vs. Flyers, Home vs Blackhawks, Away vs Kings, and home vs the Canadiens. If they can get through Carter Hart and the rest of the Flyers, they will walk into Staples Center 8-0. This is where I can see things getting tough for the Knights vs a tough divisional rival. I think Aiden Hill will be lined up to be in net for the Knights, but ultimately, I think the LA Kings will be fired up and will give the Knights their first loss of the season. Quinton Byfield, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Anze Kopitar, and Drew Doughty will have the rest of the Knight flying around in a game I anticipate being a very physical game and most likely will be won by the team who has the better night on special teams. I think the Kings won 4-3 with a late goal in the 3rd period. 

Regardless of how the next four games turn out, Bruce Cassidy should lead this team towards another deep playoff run in 2024!!                                                                      

ITR 44: We Have A Champion…Again Inside The Rink

Join Chris and Conrad as they break down the Florida Panthers winning back-to-back Stanley Cups, Trevor Zegras traded to the Philadelphia Flyers, the AHL Calder Cup winning Abbotsford Canucks, and the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft!
  1. ITR 44: We Have A Champion…Again
  2. ITR 43: It's Winning Time
  3. ITR 42: Ripe For Repeat?
  4. ITR 41: Stanley Cup Final – The Rematch
  5. ITR 40: Headed For A Repeat?

Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

jcgifford18d2e1cafa

Father of 3, Bruins, Red Sox, Cubs, Liverpool, Syracuse football and Basketball Fan. Love Fantasy Football, Baseball and Hockey. If I am not at work, I either at an ice rink, Ball field or spending quality time with my family.

Leave a Reply

Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood Traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired right-shot centre Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick (77th overall) and a conditional 2027 second-round pick, alongside prospect Gavin Brindley. The conditions of the 2027 second-round pick are that the pick will be the lower of Columbus’ second-round picks […]

Read More
Detroit Red Wings Linked to New York Islanders Defenseman

Noah Dobson traded to the Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens have acquired defenseman Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders for Emil Heineman and both the 16th and 17th overall picks in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Chris Johnston of The Athletic confirms the deal is a sign-and-trade as Dobson signs an eight-year contract worth $9.5 million annually. It will be interesting […]

Read More
John Tavares of the Toronto Maple Leafs

John Tavares Signs Four-Year Contract Extension in Toronto

Toronto Maple Leafs forward signed a four-year contract extension worth $4.38 million annually and $17.52 million total. Tavares made the announcement today through his foundation’s Instagram account that he’d be staying in Toronto for four more years. The contract includes a full no-movement clause for the first two seasons and a five-team trade list in […]

Read More