Your 2023-24 Vegas Golden Knights Hockey Guide
Last season, the Golden Knights made it to the finals and lifted the Stanley Cup for the first time in their young franchise history. This monumental achievement is exciting because they have stormed onto the NHL scene like no other expansion club has. Unlike most expansion teams who struggle out of the gate, they’ve been a perennial contender since their debut in 2017. They even shocked the world by reaching the Stanley Cup Final in their debut season, an unheard-of feat.
The Knights are predicted to be as good, if not better, this season! One reason is that most of their team will return this season. Hopefully, Mark Stone will be healthy and play the entire year. That means that a repeat is certainly not out of the question. So, what can we expect from the Vegas Golden Knights team this season? Let’s break it down as we review the past and look into the future for the ‘23-24 NHL season.
Looking Back on ‘22-23
Last season was a triumph for the Knights. They rolled through the playoffs, taking home the Stanley Cup in a five-game series victory over Florida. They were led in the regular season by Jack Eichel, who had a team-high 66 points. They had 12 players score 10 or more goals, showing off their remarkable depth. This team played with swagger and has a top fan base that loves celebrating their wins.
They also played very well at home in Vegas, sporting a 25-15-1 record at T-Mobile Arena. They even excelled on a five-game road trip sweep last November of Washington, Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, and Buffalo.
Players to Watch
You have to start with the Conn Smythe winner, Jonathan Marchessault. Marchessault had a typically good regular season last year, with 28 goals and 29 assists, before going on a torrid run in the playoffs. In 22 games, he scored 13 goals and had 12 assists. That sort of production is top notch, and he’ll look to bring back that firepower this season.
There’s also the captain Mark Stone. He’s battled injuries on and off for years but should be healthy this year. He lifted the chalice after completing his second back surgery in 13 months, and yet he still managed to notch a hat trick in the deciding game. His last full season was 2018-19, when he scored 33 goals and had 40 assists. Look for him to make a difference this year.
Jack Eichel is a bonafide star, but on this team, he’s just another versatile option. That’s how much depth the Golden Knights have. Another player who’s battled injuries, Eichel last played a full season in 2018-19. Last year, playing most of the year, he had 27 goals and 39 assists while chipping in six goals and 20 assists in the postseason. He’ll be set for a monster year this season.
In goal, the Knights rode youngster Adin Hill to the Cup. Hill played in 16 playoff games, winning 11, with a 2.17 goals-against average. This season, he may not even be the undisputed starter. The Knights also have talented goalie Logan Thomspon, who was the starter in 36 games last year, playing to a 2.65 goals-against average. Between the two, however, the goaltending players will be covered.
Golden Knights Schedule Highlights
The 2023 NHL schedule is jam-packed with fun games, and the Knights are no different. Key games to watch will be an east coast swing in December. They play on the road in successive games at Carolina, Tampa, and Florida. These are some of the best teams in the league, concluding with a rematch of last year’s final. Those will be fun to watch!
They also compete in the Winter Classic, playing the Seattle Kraken at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.
Vegas Golden Knights 2023-24 Season Outlook
The Knights won the Cup last year, and should be even better this year. They didn’t lose any significant pieces to free agency or trade. With better health luck, they will be even more explosive on offense. They have a solid defense led by Alex Pietrangelo and Shea Theodore. Plus, they should get some leaps from youngsters like Pavel Dorofeyev and Paul Cotter.
Now more experienced, the Knights are a lock to make the playoffs and should be a shoo-in for a long postseason run. Will they win the Cup? A lot can happen, but there are worse bets in the NHL than the Knights.
How to Bet on Hockey in Las Vegas
Now that you’re updated about the Golden Knights this season, it’s time to place your bets. And what better place to bet on the VGK than right in their home town? Circa Sports is the ultimate sportsbook in Las Vegas for betting on hockey. Stop by Circa Resort, the D, or one of the other Circa Sports locations in Las Vegas to place your bets in person. Can’t make it into the sportsbook? Download the Circa Sports app on iOS or Android to have your bookie right in your pocket.
Whether in person or on the app, join Circa Sports for your premier place to bet on hockey in Vegas.
