First of all, it’s difficult to be as right as I am, as often as I am. No matter what the Vegas Golden Knights did in the Cup finals last June, that was going to be the peak of their success for the next decade. You all said it, I’m just here to reiterate, and remind you how wrong you were.
First Timers
It was difficult to go against Ovechkin in his best opportunity to win a cup last season, and ultimately I had to pick, and support, the Capitals. Over those five games, we saw the last bit of resiliency get sucked out of the Golden Knights. Star forwards like William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault couldn’t keep Vegas afloat, while G Marc-Andre Fleury finally faltered. For the first time in months, you could count them out. Most of the hockey world didn’t just count them out, they wrote them off for good. Most of you elitists on Facebook and Twitter were relieved that even though you were wrong every single time you bet against the Golden Knights. At least you could hold your head high on their one and only misstep.
Congratulations.
So as Vegas walked off the ice, and their season ended, there was only two options laid out in front of them. The first, effectively named “The Philly Method” (by me) was to just go back at it next year with the same team, knowing they had built in excuses. Their second and final option, act like they deserved to be there and work their asses off to get back. Guess what they chose?
Back Again
The Golden Knights lost David Perron and James Neal in free agency. Erik Haula was put on injured reserve 15 games in the season. Free agent signings Max Pacioretty and Paul Stastny had done nothing early on, and things looked bleak. In Pauly Walnuts defense, he was injured. Nonetheless, the top line of Smith/Karlsson/Marchessault wasn’t producing, and the revamped second line could barely put the puck on net. Roughly 30 games into the season, Stastny came back, Fleury got hot, and KJ was proven right.
As the season progressed, we saw flashes of last seasons greatness. What wasn’t expected, was the subtle reminders that this is an expansion team. This year, the Golden Knights can hang their hat (helmet) on a handful of four and
The Pacific division is pathetic, so I can’t get upset with anyone who is turned off by Vegas being stuck in that third spot. If the post-season started today, they’d be up against San Jose. Not a huge deal considering their dismemberment of the Shark’s defense last season, but home-ice helped. This time around, they won’t be able to rely on those first two games to get the momentum going in their building.
Golden Knights – Western Conference Champs
It’s just too hard to bet against this team. Head Coach Gerard Gallant always has them ready to go. Getting to the Western Conference Finals is the easy part. Vegas knows they can play with both San Jose and Calgary, and I’d take Fleury 10/10 times in a must-win game. Whether it’s Winnipeg, Nashville, or the surging Blues, what is so unlikely about them making the Cup final?
Whether you consider it beginners luck, or a “rigged” expansion draft, the Golden Knights are legit. Whatever your feelings about the East are, you’re probably picking Tampa to come out of the conference finals. For what it’s worth, not even they can walk over Vegas in a seven-game series.
Give me a 2017-18 rematch, let’s just change the result. Knights in 7.
What do you think? Let me know on twitter – @Gehrholz_K and make sure you go check out the rest of our awesome hockey content here on the site.
