Wild stories? Check! Disappointing Las Vegas Raiders update? Check.
Strap in. It’s time for last week in Las Vegas sports (Jan 13 – 19).
- Kyle Busch gets a big morale boost heading into the Daytona 500
- Las Vegas Golden Knights’ losing streak continues
- Kelsey Plum likely leaving Las Vegas
- Update on Ben Johnson becoming the new Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach
#4 Kyle Busch could pull off a Dale Earnhardt
Key point: Kyle Busch currently has the best odds to win Daytona 500
The Daytona 500 is auto racing’s version of the Super Bowl and winning can be elusive for even the most talented drivers. One driver who is now 0-19 at the 2.5-mile Super Speedway is Las Vegas native Kyle Buch.
Fortunately for Busch, however, he is being pegged as the early favorite to win the Great American Race in 2025. He is currently listed at +1200 odds, which means you can bet $10 to win $130. Of course, the Daytona 500 is almost impossible to predict due to its chaotic nature, but his odds are significant.
This race will be Busch’s 20th career attempt at the Daytona 500. That’s the same number of attempts that it took Dale Earnhardt before he finally entered the trioval to take the win in 1998.
#3 Las Vegas Golden Knights get smacked
Key point: Las Vegas Golden Knights lose 5-3 to Chicago Blackhawks
The Knights’ Kingdom is in trouble after a 5-5 record in their last ten games and a 5-3 loss to the Blackhawks on Saturday. Things started as a defensive struggle until Victor Olofsson scored to put the Golden Knights ahead by one. This was met with three unanswered goals on Ilya Samsonov by the Blackhawks before the end of the first period.
Las Vegas eventually evened the odds with two goals by Tomáš Hertl in the second period. These back-to-back goals were a significant momentum booster and might have even changed the game. Instead, the Blackhawks put another one past Samsonov for a 4-3 lead to end the second period.
The final blow to the Golden Knights was a goal by Tyler Bertuzzi in the third. Ilya Samsonov’s play probably hurt them the most and will have the team reevaluating their confidence in him. He ended this game with five of 23 shots allowed past him for a GAA of .783
#2 One of Las Vegas’ biggest stars might leave
Key point: Insider claims Kelsey Plum might leave the Aces
Kelsey Plum leaving the Las Vegas Aces is a consistent rumor. She is the only member of the Aces’ big three who did not sign a contract extension and almost entered free agency as a result. Of course, many fans hope she will return to Sin City alongside A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young, but that doesn’t seem likely anymore.
Callie Fin discussed this during a recent NBC Sports’ On Her Turf episode.
“It does seem like the most likely scenario is that Kelsey Plum would move on from the Aces,” Fin said. “You mentioned that she did not sign an extension… and Kelsey was offered an extension and declined. “When it comes to somebody like Kelsey Plum, she’s coming off a difficult personal year and she has emphasized that she wants to take time for herself, which is why she said she pulled out of Unrivaled. So… we’re not able to ask her directly, which would be the best indicator here.”
#1 ESPN gives controversial opinion on Ben Johnson
Key point: Ben Johnson might not be coming to Las Vegas after all
The Las Vegas Raiders are in rebuild mode and have much to accomplish this offseason. Finding a new head coach is at the top of that list, which has led to constant chatter about who it will be. Everyone from Mike Vrabel to Ben Johnson has been named as options. Some even believe that Jon Gruden is coming out of retirement to pick up where he left off.
Johnson is the frontrunner, but Adam Schefter of ESPN disagrees.
“I know everybody has Ben Johnson anointed to the Raiders, but I’m not in that camp right now,” Schefter said on The Pat McAfee Show. “I’ll have to believe it before I see it.”
