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Golden Knights Plan On Using Stanley Cup Final Loss As Fuel

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On June 17, 2026

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: @Canes on X/Twitter)

On the day the Golden Knights fired Bruce Cassidy to bring in John Tortorella, they sat in 3rd place in the Pacific Division, just four points above the playoff cut line, with eight games to go. They had won just one of their last seven games and four of the last 16. For anyone truly paying attention, the thought of being two wins away from the Stanley Cup a few months later was asinine.

Then, it happened.

The Golden Knights got off to a bit of a slow start against the Utah Mammoth but then picked it up and went on an epic 12-2 run, defeating Anaheim, Colorado, and taking a 1-0 advantage in the Stanley Cup Final. It was a truly remarkable turnaround that not even the most optimistic supporters could have ever imagined.

But then, they were hit by a hurricane. Carolina came storming through and did to the Golden Knights what they did to everyone else standing in their way this postseason, overwhelmed and engulfed them. The Hurricanes lifted the Stanley Cup on VGK’s home ice, completing one of the most impressive Cup runs in NHL history.

That has left the Golden Knights a bit dazed, but certainly not confused.

It’s a feeling that you never want to have again, but at the same time, it’s a feeling that you’ll use to drive you to get better and to get back to that point to have that opportunity again to compete for a Stanley Cup. -Carter Hart

The Golden Knights aren’t planning on sulking. They expect to use this improbable run as fuel to do it again, and finish the job next season.

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VGK’s Experience Leads Team Early And Wins Game 5 Late

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On April 30, 2026

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: @GoldenKnights on X/Twitter)

It may have taken the Golden Knights 85 minutes to win Game 5, but the signs for success were apparent from the initial puck drop. In the opening moments of Game 5, the Golden Knights decided to use their experience, force, and will to intimidate the less seasoned Mammoth. Beginning 24 seconds into the match, VGK’s Nic Dowd landed two brutal body checks, and Ivan Barbashev and Nick Howden each recorded one hit each. The quick flurry of hits slowed down the Mammoth’s preplanned fast start and shook one of their best offensive weapons. While it started over a week ago, Dowd hadn’t forgotten about his promise from Game 1.

(Credit: NHL Stats)

Vegas’ early dedication to physicality frustrated Utah, which led to errant passes, missed shots, and poor body language. The Golden Knights brought back the hit parade later in the frame, and the Mammoth let their emotions get the best of them and took three straight penalties. The three minors committed weren’t for a haphazard high-stick, an unfortunate trip, or an overzealous hockey play. Nope, they were emotional, physical, and retaliatory types of infractions. Sure, Utah scored first, but their lead only held for two minutes.

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Reliving The First Two Goals For The Eichel, Marner, Barbashev Top Line

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On October 9, 2025

In Game Analysis

(Photo Credit: TNT)

It took two periods to really get going, but then, lightning struck twice inside of four minutes for the Golden Knights’ new mega top line.

 

 

The first strike came just over five minutes into the 3rd period with the score still tied at three. Barbashev retreated into his own zone to collect a puck from Adin Hill while every other player on the ice changed behind him. He took the open ice and slalomed through the neutral zone. At the blue line, Barbashev fed a puck out to Marner on the right wing, and he calmly drew in two Kings (Byfield and Anderson,) which opened up space on the other side for Eichel. A pass through the seam gave Eichel a look from 37 feet away, and he unleashed a bomb that no goalie is stopping.

It’s Eichel’s movement that really makes this play. Of course, Barbashev’s ability to transport the puck through the neutral zone opens everything up, but Eichel’s subtle movement away from the center of the ice opens up the space for Marner to fit the pass through. In this spot, players, especially centers, are taught to drive directly towards the front of the goal, but instead, Eichel purposely lags his path into the zone to take the open space on the left point. Once Marner gets into a passing position, he moves towards the slot, and elite talent from both takes over from there.

 

 

It’s a beautiful goal that required elite play from all three players.

And that was just the first one.

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Scoring Potential Of VGK’s Top Line Has Fans Excited For Opening Night

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On September 20, 2025

In Team Ops

(Credit: Sportsnet)

As Training camp opened, Golden Knights fans were teased with a fresh-looking lineup for the 2025-26 season. Of course, nothing is permanent this early into camp, but the sneak peek has Vegas fans eagerly waiting for the first official puck drop of the season.

With the addition of superstar right-wing Mitch Marner inserted into their top six, Vegas is primed for another competitive, division-winning regular season. The Golden Knights ended the season with the 5th most goals in 2024-25 and should match or exceed that mark with the alignment of players released this week. Some would like to see William Karlsson and Reilly Smith matched up with Marner, while others are already penciling in 30 goals for Ivan Barbashev.

No matter how the lineup is drawn up, coach Bruce Cassidy will have multiple effective options with the stars he’s blessed to have on his club. Some fans believe the coach’s roster is so talented that they may never lose.

In eight regular seasons, the Golden Knights have averaged 249.25 goals per year. Sure, the numbers were a little askew with the two shortened seasons, but overall, Vegas has had no problems scoring since they entered the league. So how many could the newly assembled team score in 2025-26?

We’re both going to have to shoot it. I think we’re both going to get some good opportunities. We’ve got to be comfortable in the areas to not be afraid to shoot. Barby’s going to be around the net hunting those pucks, so just try to get it around there. – Mitch Marner

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Stock Up/Stock Down: 2025 Playoffs

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On June 7, 2025

In Game Analysis

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

The playoff system in North American sports can be a bit peculiar. Games are played for six months straight to decide which teams enter the gauntlet of eliminating half of them every two weeks. What works in the regular season doesn’t always work in the postseason and because of it, different heroes emerge while others fail.

We’ve always said people that build their roster, well, there’s regular season players that function well, and there’s playoff guys that emerge, so you’ve got to have a balance of both. -Bruce Cassidy

For the Golden Knights, many of the best players from the regular season fell flat in the playoffs and it’s a big reason why they aren’t still playing today. Meanwhile, a few stepped forward and showed their impact on the biggest stage.

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William Karlsson
The Vegas folk hero, built on his unbelievable Season 1 performance, coupled with a Stanley Cup speech that will live forever, had a bit of a troublesome regular season. He played the fewest games of his VGK career, starting in just 53 and his statistics suffered because of it. He finished the year with just nine goals and 29 points, each by far the lowest since he arrived in Vegas.

But, when the playoffs began, his game took off. He has always embraced the role of a shutdown center and he succeeded in that well against both Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy in the first round and then Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in the second. It was his line driving ability that really shined as the playoffs went on, though. He was called upon to help Jack Eichel and Mark Stone get out of a funk and then he was asked to push games forward for the Golden Knights without either superstar as a linemate later. He was unbelievable in Game 3, Vegas’ only win in the Edmonton series, and he was a huge reason why Reilly Smith was able to step right back in and succeed again with the Golden Knights. There wasn’t a more valuable player in the postseason for the Golden Knights than #71, and only Eichel was even remotely close.

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Barbashev And Hague Latest VGK Players Rumored To Be On The Move

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On June 5, 2025

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

It’s no surprise that the wheels are beginning to spin behind the scenes. Yesterday, Sportsnet delivered a message that Golden Knights restricted free agent defenseman Nic Hague could become available to teams across the league. Some clubs that reportedly have interest in the 26-year-old defenseman are the Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs and even some Pacific Division teams. Let’s be honest, most teams are in the market for an enormous and physical Stanley Cup winning defenseman. No matter what his asking price is, Hague will likely get close to it with a new club.

An RFA with arbitration rights and just one year away from being eligible for unrestricted free agency, 26-year-old defenseman Nic Hague is looking for big money on his next deal. Since Vegas has already committed a lot of money to Alex Pietrangelo, Shea Theodore and Noah Hanifin on the back end, Hague appears to be the odd man out at this time. – Nick Kypreos, former NHL’er and Sportsnet analyst

Losing Hague would be a big loss for VGK’s blueline but sometimes business comes first. As Golden Knights fans have witnessed since the 2018 offseason, players come, and players leave. Plus, Vegas has three defensemen earning more than $7M annually. In this current cap economy, it would be difficult to sign another d-man to an expensive extension. Additionally, if Vegas could sign-and-trade Hague they could potentially max out their return bounty for him. With the abundance of interest, it won’t be difficult for VGK’s front office to negotiate the right exchange.

Not only has Hague been rumored to be on the block but so has center William Karlsson and winger Ivan Barbashev. While moving Karlsson would make little to no sense, moving on from Barbashev does.

The Golden Knights are seeking an impactful top six wing for the 2025-26 season and being able to free up $5M will make it much easier to acquire an elite one.

We know this is a team that can get very active on the trade market. They want to create cap space and perhaps chase some of the bigger free agents this summer, such as Mitch Marner.

So, Ivan Barbashev is considered one of their most movable pieces, a 23-goal, 51-point scorer this season who’s making $5 million against thev salary cap for another three years. The 29-year-old would be an interesting target for teams that are looking to bolster their offence, such as Ottawa or Carolina. Barbashev does have an eight-team no-trade list. – Kypreos

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Missed Chances And Lack Of Crunch Time Goals Caused VGK’s Second Round Exit

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On May 17, 2025

In Team Ops

(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

The Golden Knights have now been shut out seven times in their playoff history. As we are all painfully aware, in the final two games of the Second Round against the Edmonton Oilers. That’s 28% of their entire postseason droughts in one short series. Obviously, Vegas struggled to score in the final two contests but looking back at their offseason and deadline decisions, should fans be surprised?

I wouldn’t overreact to the fact that we didn’t score enough goals. It wasn’t a chronic issue that you would have expected to be our demise in the postseason.” -McCrimmon

This season the Golden Knights scored 11 more goals than they did last season and allowed 39 fewer. It should be considered a major success. Based on the final standings and seasonal statistics, Vegas looked to be in a better position to make a deeper run than they were a year ago. Unfortunately, neither of the last two rosters qualified for the final four. When only two years prior, the Golden Knights were the last club standing.

Unfortunately, we lost too many close games. That was the difference. We didn’t score the last two games. That’s the difference. – William Karlsson

In 2023, Vegas had a true blend of balance on defense, goaltending, and offense. This postseason, there was a significant imbalance. Especially against the Oilers in the Second Round. Against Edmonton, Vegas’ inefficiencies on offense were a glaring problem. Of course, the Golden Knights blue liners had problems of their own, but they didn’t lose in five due to poor defense. It was VGK’s 12 forwards that earned the lion’s share of the blame. In key moments, the goals didn’t come.

VGK’s Missed Shots vs. Edmonton

  • Ivan Barbashev: 8 Missed Shots (7 Missed Wide, 0% Shooting Percentage)
  • William Karlsson: 7 Missed Shots (5 Missed Wide, 1 Missed Short, 1 Post, 28.6% Shooting Percentage)
  • Victor Olofsson: 7 Missed Shots (7 Missed Wide, 20% Shooting Percentage)
  • Brett Howden: 7 Missed Shots (7 Missed Wide, 0% Shooting Percentage)
  • Jack Eichel: 6 Missed Shots (3 Missed Wide, 2 Missed Over, 1 Crossbar, 0% Shooting Percentage)
  • Nic Roy: 6 Missed Shots (6 Missed Wide, 25% Shooting Percentage)
  • Brandon Saad: 5 Missed Shots (5 Missed Wide, 0% Shooting Percentage)
  • Shea Theodore: 5 Missed Shots (5 Missed Wide, 0% Shooting Percentage)

On top of the constant shots missing wide from the Golden Knights, they were also hampered by the Oilers’ willingness to block shots. Edmonton recorded 104 blocked shots in five games against Vegas. That combined with VGK’s elevated missed shot total, and it’s no surprise they went scoreless for the final six periods of the series.

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