(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)
Last week the Daily Faceoff released projection charts that separated the elite from the postseason imposters. The Golden Knights came up short of DF’s 2025 expected playoff win meter, but overall VGK is recognized as one of the most successful teams since
(Credit: Daily Faceoff)
Since 2021, the Golden Knights have the sixth most postseason victories and a Stanley Cup trophy to boot. Only two clubs ahead of Vegas also have championship rings. While some others have continuously come up empty. Mainly, eastern conference teams like the Bruins, Hurricanes and Maple Leafs. In the West, the Avalanche and Golden Knights exceeded expectations during their championship runs and the Oilers are three wins away from doing the same.
Even with an absence in the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs, Vegas annually averages more postseason wins than most Western Conference teams. Since the 2021 playoffs, VGK has recorded the third most wins (34) in the Western Conference. However, if you go back to their first postseason run the Golden Knights lead the west with 62 wins and trail only Tampa Bay by one victory.
Postseason Wins Since 2018
- Tampa Bay: 63 (2020 & 2021 Stanley Cup champion)
- Vegas: 62 (2023 Stanley Cup champion)
- Dallas: 54
- Colorado: 52 (2022 Stanley Cup champion)
- Florida: 48 (2024 Stanley Cup champion)
- Carolina: 47
- Boston: 43
- Edmonton: 43
- NYI: 31
- Washington: 29 (2018 Stanley Cup champion)
There’s no argument that the Golden Knights have been one of only several elite teams for almost ten years. Only five of the top postseason winners since 2018 have been successful enough to hoist the Stanley Cup. Unfortunately, it’s not all about collecting W’s.
Based on the projected playoff win meter the Golden Knights were expected to secure nine games this postseason. Sadly, they were eliminated from the playoffs after 11 games, cheating the local fans of at least one more projected round. If Vegas matched DF’s predicted win total, fans could be watching their team host tonight’s Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
https://twitter.com/sdpnsports/status/1929700857290838207
Chances are Vegas will improve their team’s offense with a superstar winger or by rebuilding their underachieving depth with the understanding that 5 postseason wins is just not enough. In this City, under this owner, advancing one round is not considered a successful season. Especially, if they carve out and garnish the roster with high-end playmakers.
Vegas has certainly blown away the expectations since their arrival to the league for everyone not named Bill Foley. Arguably, the NHL’s most aggressive and determined owner expected a championship ring on his finger after six seasons, and to no surprise to him, he got one.
This offseason begins the quest for Foley’s second ring. If Vegas can exceed next year’s projected playoff win total, we’re likely looking at another Western Conference title or even more bling. Could Sam Bennett be the answer? Mitch Marner? Well, we’ll find out in only 25 more days.
