The Knights are Golden

[hockeyrobot]

What the heck happened!? I went to bed and saw they had a nice lead in the 3rd

[dejeanneret]

Sabres rolled their top 2 lines pretty much the entire 3rd. Scrapped back to tie it up with 5 seconds left with Johnson pulled for the better part of the final 3 minutes. But then pretty much out of gas once the 3 on 3 began.

This is the 4th full VGK game I've watched this season. They're scrappy and play pretty loose without much in the way of expectations heaped upon them. It makes them dangerous. Barring simultaneous long-term injury to a few key players, I think they're going to stay relevant for the duration of the season. No idea whether they'll ultimately make the playoffs. But even if they don't, I can see them being a big time spoiler along the way that puts the final nail in the coffin of a few other teams from whom more was expected.

Definitely not an automatic point or two when they're on the schedule.

[agentzero]

They look impressive to start the season but my prediction is that when the calendar flips, they are well out of the playoff picture. Well out being more than 10 pts.

They are surprising teams for sure, but they will get figured out. Kudos to the management team and coaching staff though. There were definitely some head-scratching selections in the expansion draft.

[ericdaoust]

There were definitely some head-scratching selections in the expansion draft.

Agreed. I understand their plan going in but I feel they botched the execution.

[agentzero]

Agreed. I understand their plan going in but I feel they botched the execution.

The whole selecting 8 NHL waiver-eligible defencemen because someone will trade us for one... and then having Shea Theodore basically lead the AHL in scoring... Yeah I dunno. I know they aren't trying to win games, but they shouldn't screw with their own development..

They made out like bandits so far screwing with the Islanders on faking interest in Pulock. They got lots of picks instead of a press-box player.

[lucafen4]

I was saying how crazy it would be, I would bet a solid amount of money on them not making the playoffs, and not being that close either (within 5-10pts).

Also, I would say their No1 centre is Ship, but this is the whole argument again that are you a No1 centre just because you play No1 minutes, or is there a talent aspect that needs to go with it (i.e. Turris, Bozak), so I won't get into that lol.

he's not getting #1 minutes. Austin Matthews is. He used to, but not anymore

[2014olympicgold]

he's not getting #1 minutes. Austin Matthews is. He used to, but not anymore

Sometimes people have to knit pick the smallest things. Yes I know he's actually a C2/C3 now, I was talking about before. Everyone in Ontario, prolly Canada knows Matthews is the C1 now

[dejeanneret]

Even if they don't make the playoffs (which I agree is likely improbable) I'd wager that they play a sizeable role in ruining other teams' playoff chances by winning what are seen as must win games for other teams in the hunt down the stretch.

In other words, they're not going to be pushovers and, in my opinion, will remain relevant to how things shake out even if they ultimately fall out of contention for a playoff spot. Can't be said for all teams most years.

I think that, in and of itself, is fairly surprising given where external expectations were.

[ShawneePanthers]

Subban has won two of two, and he should have lost one of the games but his team bailed him out

[ShawneePanthers]

I have a bet with a buddy of mine - he thought Vegas would come dead last in the league, I said no they won't.

But second round of the playoffs? Keep dreaming.

bondon, are you singing to a different tune yet?

I'm going to raise my expectations for them and say they will go at least to the second round, and likely to the Finals (where they will beat Pittsburgh in Game 7- good revenge for Fleury XD)

[reggiebarnes]

what Vegas as doing is terrible for the sport. NHL has been compete bush league this season

[ShawneePanthers]

Nah, it's great for the sport that an expansion team is doing so well.

XD reggie you keep getting it wrong.

[reggiebarnes]

Nah, it's great for the sport that an expansion team is doing so well.

XD reggie you keep getting it wrong.

It’s embarassing for the league. If they somehow won the cup I would quit watching and purchasing nhl games

[Fighting_Emu]

It’s embarassing for the league. If they somehow won the cup I would quit watching and purchasing nhl games

That sounds hollow- and if so I think you'd be the vast, vast minority. Everybody loves a good underdog story and this one has been fantastic so far...

[reggiebarnes]

That sounds hollow- and if so I think you'd be the vast, vast minority. Everybody loves a good underdog story and this one has been fantastic so far...

If an expansion team won the Stanley cup, the rest of the league will be furious . You’re fooling yourself if you think this is a cool underdog story if they won the cup. That’s not gonna happen so whatever