Vegas Golden Knights Preview 2021
In their initial four seasons, the Vegas Golden Knights have been very competitive. In their first season, which was 2017-18, our Vegas Golden Knights preview 2021 - 22 notes that the team made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals. Unfortunately, in that series, the Knights lost to the Washington Capitals one game to four. Last year, Vegas finished second in the West with a record of 40-14-2 and 82 points. However, in the semifinals of the playoffs, they lost to the Canadiens two games to four. Going into this season, we find that Vegas certainly has a solid team. However, the Golden Knights certainly have their weaknesses and question marks.
Golden Knights - Key Skaters
At center Chandler Stephenson and at wing Reilly Smith, Max Pacioretty, and Mark Stone possess quality scoring skills. However, our Vegas Golden Knights preview 2021 - 22 observes that centers Jonathan Marchessault and Nicolas Roy are less promising when it comes to creating scoring opportunities and following through on such. A big issue for this team could be the power play, which stands to be one of the weaker ones in the NHL. On D, Alex Pietrangelo and Shea Theodore are both fine set up men and avid defenders. However, after those two, there’s a drop off on defense.
Vegas Golden Knights Preview 2021 – Goaltending
Veteran goalie Marc-Andre Fleury served as the Golden Knights netminder for their first four seasons. To understate his performance, Fleury was exceptionally effective. He’s now with the Blackhawks. Taking over for him is 12-year vet Robin Lehner. Lehner, who’s in his third season with Vegas, performed well in 2020-21 going 13-4-2 and posting a 2.29 GAA and .913 SV%. However, from season-to-season throughout his NHL career, Lehner has been inconsistent. Eight-year journeyman Laurent Brossoit (32-32-5) will back up. For this team to be successful, Lehner must play a large majority of available minutes. Plus, he needs to play even better than he did last year when the ultra-steady Fleury started.
Vegas Golden Knights Preview 2021 – Final Word
Although in their first four years Vegas has done well in postseason play. However, our Vegas Golden Knights preview 2021 - 22 wonders if this is the season that this team takes a surprisingly early exit? One note, in 13 NHL seasons, head coach Peter DeBoer has taken Florida, New Jersey, San Jose, and Vegas to the playoffs seven times. Twice they’ve gotten to the finals, losing both times. He’s never won the Cup. Although DeBoer should be able to take this team deep into the postseason, we wonder with Fleury out of the Vegas net, a thin group of centers, and if depth at forward does not pan out, what will actually happen? For the Golden Knights this may be a postseason of diminishing returns. We’ll see.
NHL Pacific Division - Vegas Golden Knights Projection 2021
Finish: 1st
Stanley Cup Appearance
Eliminated Round One