1. Las Vegas is looking for redemption
The 2021 NHL season is just over a week away and fans are pumped. For the Las Vegas Golden Knights, it’s about more than just regular excitement, though; it s about getting back into the playoffs and earning their first Stanley Cup.
The team came close to that goal last year after posting a 39-24 record but were knocked out in the semi-finals by the Dallas Stars. The Stars ended up beating the Knights 4-1 in what has to be one of the most disappointing collapses in the organization’s history.
In the end, this season is about redemption. This team has just come close to a title too many times not to finally break through. It s only a matter of time.
2. Las Vegas has an interesting schedule
The Las Vegas Golden Knights will start their season with two games against the Anaheim Ducks and then move on to a four-game series against the Arizona Coyotes. Fortunately for the Golden Knights, they are 10-2 against the Ducks, and 8-4 versus the Coyotes. You can reasonably expect the Knights to at least win four of those games and be close to leading their division.
After the series with the Coyotes, they move on to a two-game series against the Blues and a two-game run against the San Jose Sharks. Between Max Pacioretty on offense and Robin Lehner behind the net, the team could go 10-0 if they catch the right breaks.
3. Golden Knights are rumored for outdoor game.
Although the pandemic put an end to any plans of the NHL having an outdoor game in 2020, the league is looking to hold games at an outdoor resort at Lake Tahoe in February. According to the Athletic, the Golden Knights are rumored for a game against the Colorado Avalanche at the Lake Tahoe facility. No fans will be able to attend, though.
This outdoor game could act as a showcase of how great the Golden Knights are this season. Think about it! This will be a high-profile game for the Golden Knights, and if they can step up under pressure, it’s their chance to show off.
4. The playoffs will look different
The NHL has announced the regular season will end on May 8th and 16 teams will have a chance to quality for the playoffs. The NHL has also done division realignments over the offseason and will only allow teams to play within their division during the regular season. The top four teams from each division will move on into the playoffs, which are said to conclude in mid-July.
The best part of the playoffs is that it will be the first time some teams have played each other all season, making strategy key to surviving in the postseason. Seriously though? How do you prepare for an opponent that you haven t faced all season long? That s going to create a lot of interesting situations for the playoffs and could even give fans a first-time champion.
