It’s always fun to go back at the end of the season and look at who was right and who was terribly wrong. On the latest SinBin.vegas podcast, we made our picks and, surprisingly, both chose the Carolina Hurricanes to repeat as Stanley Cup champions. Also, we both have the Golden Knights in the postseason fairly easily. Regardless of their seeding in the 2027 playoffs, our expectations are extremely high for the Golden Knights. There’s no reason why Vegas can’t be back-to-back Western Conference champions.
(Credit: Sportsnet)
The NHL experts at Sportsnet put out their selections this week, and unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, they weren’t high on VGK this season.
Sportsnet’s Pacific Division Winner
- Edmonton Oilers (16)
- Vegas Golden Knights (3)
- Anaheim Ducks (1)
- San Jose Sharks (1)
Clearly, Sportsnet is expecting a bounce-back year from the Oilers. Also, the experts seem to believe in the unthinkable: the Oilers winning the division (they haven’t done it since 1987). Golden Knights fans should feel happy with the lack of confidence from Sportsnet. The experts are rarely right.
Sportsnet’s Western Conference Champion
- Edmonton Oilers (9)
- Colorado Avalanche (8)
- Dallas Stars (2)
- Minnesota Wild (1)
- Utah Mammoth (1)
(Credit: Sports Gully)
Not only did Vegas miss the cut among Sportsnet voters, but nine of them chose the Pacific rival Oilers to play in their third Stanley Cup Final in four seasons. Pretty crazy that not even one of the prognosticators has last year’s Stanley Cup Finalist on their list. It’s not like they filled out this survey after last night’s 4-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks.
Sportsnet’s Stanley Cup Champion
- Colorado Avalanche (5)
- Edmonton Oilers (5)
- Florida Panthers (4)
- Carolina Hurricanes (1)
- Minnesota Wild (1)
- Montreal Canadiens (1)
- Tampa Bay Lightning (1)
- Toronto Maple Leafs (1)
- Washington Capitals (1)
It’s not a surprise that many believe the Colorado Avalanche will be a handful for the rest of the league. The problem is that we all felt the same last season, and the Golden Knights embarrassed Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Jared Bednar along the way (again).
As for Edmonton, they have the same problems in net as they’ve had for the past half-decade. The 13 goals allowed to the Canucks in the first two games isn’t quelling that concern either. Any slip-ups from the top two and Vegas should be the voters next in line. Sure, the Western Conference has some legitimate contenders, but to leave Vegas out completely is a bold decision.
Just remember to heckle the experts if VGK raises their second Stanley Cup in franchise history.
Abdullah
Vegas needs to trade for Sergei Bobrovsky.
Knights fan in minny
Yeah right a $10 million a year goalie once again your statements prove you know nothing Clueless
Emmanuel
There are G’s everywhere, the problem is Hill would have to be traded or LTIR.
Abdullah
Correction. $7 million a year. They can trade Barbashev and Hart to get him. Bobrovsky will be an expensive but adequate back up. Adin Hill takes over as the number one goalie.
Vic
5 for Edmonton??? Goaltending and defensive issues. Helle’s not staying in Oh Canada.
1 for Carolina? Dallas not mentioned?
Emmanuel
Its a Canadian media bias.
The Oil went farther than they should have the years they went to the Cup final.
You also should have added that their bottom six is shaky even when healthy.
JB
Ok. Let’s jump n the Nucks tonight!
Jose
Keegan Kolesar got pounded today
https://x.com/CBrooksie84/status/2106802234558128441?s=20
Jose
Juho Piiparinen scores today.
https://x.com/NHLJackManning/status/2106867095216816331?s=20