From fresh faces, to old policies, we're ready for the Kraken on Oct. 12
By OTS Staff | Las Vegas, NV | T-Mobile Arena
Hooray! The hockey offseason has flown by faster than Alex Tuch on a breakaway. The Vegas Golden Knights are back and we could not be more excited, but what do we need to be ready for? From new players to new procedures, here are 10 things you need to know for the 2021-22 season.
A Wilted Flower
Yes, for the first-time ever in Golden Knights history, the team will not have Marc-Andre Fleury between the pipes. The team traded the veteran netminder and fan favorite to the Chicago Blackhawks this summer, even after he took home the Vezina Trophy last season. While “Flower” will be missed, a familiar face is still in net.
Robin Lehner will serve as the last line of defense in Nevada, and he is certainly up to the task. The 30-year-old owns a 2.20 GAA across 22 regular season games with Vegas. The newly acquired Laurent Brossoit will serve as Lehner’s backup, who is a solid, albeit unspectacular option.
New Faces in Sin City
The Golden Knights made several moves over the summer to retool the roster. Here are the new members of the squad, as well as their position and how they were acquired:
🏒 Evgenii Dadonov – RW – trade with Ottawa
🏒 Laurent Brossoit – G – signed as a free agent
🏒 Nolan Patrick – C – trade with Philadelphia
🏒 Brett Howden – C – trade with NY Rangers
🏒 Sven Baertschi – LW – signed as a free agent
The Kraken Are Coming
The Golden Knights kick off their season with a home game against the NHL’s newest team – the Seattle Kraken – on October 12th. These two squads may not necessarily be geographic rivals, but there are still a lot of storylines between the two freshest-faced franchises in the league. Can the Kraken replicate the same level of success we saw from the Golden Knights in their inaugural season?
COVID-19 Protocols
The current guidelines to enter T-Mobile Arena do not require a vaccine nor a test. They do utilize the CLEAR App, which screens for symptoms; however, they simply ask that we all mask up. While we were shocked by this decision from the arena – especially after the Raiders took a stronger stance – we are glad at least some safety measures have been put in place.
Who’s “HYDE-ing”?
Hyde Lounge offers an unparalleled viewing experience from the top level of T-Mobile Arena. While you may not have a front seat to the action, you can really see it all from up here. If you’re wanting to see a game but have limited funds, check for tickets in Hyde, as they are usually more affordable. Depending on the score, we will either be clinking cups to a lead in the game or nervously sipping as we cheer on team captain Mark Stone and the squad.
Power Play Lacks A Punch
One of the biggest flaws for the Golden Knights last season was their inability to score on the power play. They ranked 22nd in the league during the regular season in power-play efficiency (17.8%), but that number cratered even further in the postseason. The Golden Knights ranked dead last among all playoff teams, converting just 9.8 percent of their opportunities with the extra man. If Vegas expects to live up to their lofty expectations, they will need their power-play units to operate with more coherence.
Show Up Looking Your Best
It is well known that T-Mobile Arena is one of the best sporting atmospheres in all of North America. What better way to display your love from the home team than repping your favorite player? With Fleury and Ryan Reaves now donning new threads, it may be time for a fresh jersey; perhaps a Pacioretty?
Don’t Forget the Words!
Shame, shame, shame! That’s what you will hear echo throughout the raucous crowd at T-Mobile Arena if the referee makes a bad call. However, the even more common “Go Knights Go!” will rattle the stadium all night long, so be sure to join in.
Pack It Up
A bag policy is nothing we aren’t already aware of at T-Mobile Arena, but as we return to the venue, remember only small purses (12″ x 12″ x 6″ max) are allowed. The hypocrisy is real, as Golden Knights players have been seen with massive bags full of hockey equipment! How unfair.
Stanley Cup Odds
You cannot have an article about sports in Vegas without some gambling odds. Courtesy of Circa Sports, here are a couple of future markets on VGK this season:
Will the Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup? Yes +750/No -1300
Will the Golden Knights win the Western Conference? Yes +310/No -425
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