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2023-24 Las Vegas Golden Knights Season Review

Few expansion franchises in Major League Baseball, the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, or the National Hockey League have had as much success from the start as the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Reaching the Stanley Cup Finals in their first season back in 2017-18, the Golden Knights have reached the postseason in six of their eight seasons, and the only season they missed the playoffs was the year they scored 94 points.

The franchise’s rapid rise increased last season as it defeated the Florida Panthers in five games to capture its first ever Stanley Cup championship, losing just six of its four playoff series. The Golden Knights entered 2023-24 as heavy favorites, but had a down year, scoring just 98 points compared to last year’s 111 points and entering the postseason as the #8 seed. Here are the biggest takeaways from the defending champions’ season.

Seasonal Expectations

As noted, the Las Vegas Golden Knights had high expectations this season as online sports betting favorites to win the Western Conference. Only the Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers entered the year with a better chance to win the Stanley Cup in the West than the Golden Knights.

The season could not have started better, with the defending champions winning 11 of their first 12 games. However, they struggled the rest of the way, going 34–36 and falling short of the postseason as a Wild Card seed.

Only eight teams in league history have won back-to-back Stanley Cups, and the Golden Knights made it tough for them with a weak regular season. They had to fight through the end of the year to reach the postseason and struggled to find their identity, which led to the midseason acquisitions of Noah Hanifin and Tomas Hertl. These two players are some of the best performers this season.

Outstanding Players

Jonathan Marchessault led the way for Las Vegas in points, scoring 69 points on a game-high 42 goals and 27 assists. Those 69 points were his most since 2017-18, his first season as a Golden Knight.

However, Marchessault’s position at the top of the Vegas points leaderboard shows what has gone wrong this season. Jack Eichel was the Golden Knight’s leading scorer on last year’s Stanley Cup championship team but has missed time this year due to injury. Chandler Stephenson trails him by just one point, but he’s gone down offensively this year.

Despite playing in just six games with Las Vegas during the regular season, Hertl scored four points after joining the team late in the year. The former San Jose Shark was a bright spot on a Shark team that had a historically bad season and consistent scoring streak for years.

Outstanding Moments

Las Vegas’ dominant start was highlighted, as the team was 11-0-1 after 12 games and a back-to-back in regulation in mid-December. By Christmas, however, they were 1–5–0 during the six-game stretch leading up to their Winter Classic game against Seattle, which started a very important trend in the wrong direction. The Kraken beat Las Vegas 3-0, marking the Golden Knights’ 6th loss in eight games before being beaten by Florida three days later.

Las Vegas has struggled after the All-Star break, giving up 3.44 goals per game since mid-February, ranking 23rd in the league. Goaltender Adin Hill has highlighted those struggles, with just a .877 save percentage during that span.

However, things turned around a bit with the addition of Hertl and Hanifin. Las Vegas went 11-5-1 after the March 8 trade deadline, largely without Hartl, who missed time with knee surgery in February. Late season surgery has helped the Golden Knights into the playoffs and has already given the #1 seeded Dallas Stars trouble.

Seasonal Post Wishes

While Las Vegas struggled in the regular season, they enter the postseason with a championship pedigree, a deep defense to solve their scoring woes, and a new weapon in Hertl. They opened the postseason with two road wins over the Stars, putting the #1 seed on the edge early. While Dallas stole an overtime win in Las Vegas, the Golden Knights still dominate the series, thanks in large part to Eichel’s dominant performance.

The Golden Knights are still a threat in the Western Conference. The road will be tough, but the team is similar to last season’s championship squad. According to many players, the second championship is the most challenging tournament when trying to get back.

Post Season Results

The team finds itself at a crossroads as the curtain closes on the 2023-24 season for the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Despite a rollercoaster year marked by early promise and late struggles, the Golden Knights have shown resilience and the heart of a champion. Their postseason run, though ending with a hard-fought seven-game series against the Dallas Stars, underscored the uncertainty of playoff hockey and the thin margins that separate victory from defeat.

This season may not have ended with the excitement of last year’s championship, but it provided important lessons and memorable moments that will shape the future of the franchise. The mid-season acquisitions of Noah Hanifin and Tomas Hertl, while initially seen as a gamble, paid dividends and hinted at a brighter outlook for next campaign. Jonathan Marchessault’s resurgence as a leading scorer and Jack Eichel’s playoff heroics are further testaments to the team’s core strength and regrouping potential.

Looking forward, the Golden Knights are well positioned to rebound and come back strong. With a combination of experienced leaders and emerging talent, the team’s foundation remains strong. The challenge now is to use the lessons of this season to improve their game and continue their quest for a new Stanley Cup.

As fans reflect on a season of ups and downs, they can take pride in a team that continues to fight against the odds, embodying the spirit of perseverance that has defined the Golden Knights since their incredible inception. The quest for another heroism is far from over; it’s just on hold, ready to be ruled by the drop of the puck next season.




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