The Vegas Golden Knights are riding high-and they’re not looking to slow down anytime soon.
Winners of seven straight, Vegas is back in a groove after a rocky first half, and they’ll look to keep the good times rolling Monday night as they wrap up their three-game homestand against the Philadelphia Flyers at T-Mobile Arena. Puck drops at 5:00 p.m. PST, and all eyes will be on the potential debut of a new face on the blue line.
Rasmus Andersson Era Begins?
The headline heading into this one is the possible first appearance of defenseman Rasmus Andersson, acquired Sunday in a move that adds both experience and familiarity to the Golden Knights’ back end. If he suits up, Andersson is expected to reunite with Noah Hanifin, his former D-partner. That’s a pairing with real chemistry, and Vegas is hoping Andersson can slot in seamlessly.
With the team already trending in the right direction, Andersson’s addition could be the kind of midseason jolt that helps solidify the defensive core heading into the stretch run. It’s not just about plugging a hole-it’s about enhancing a system that’s already clicking.
Teams on Diverging Paths
Since the calendar flipped to 2026, these two teams have been on completely different trajectories.
Vegas has found its stride, stacking up wins and rediscovering the kind of form that made them a force early in the season. The Golden Knights are playing with confidence, structure, and a little swagger-everything you want this time of year.
The Flyers, on the other hand, are heading in the opposite direction. They’ve dropped six straight and have slipped out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Fatigue, injuries, and inconsistency have caught up to them, and now they’re walking into a buzzsaw in Vegas.
Momentum is a powerful thing in hockey, and right now, the Golden Knights have it in spades.
Eichel, Stone Leading the Charge
While Andersson’s debut will be a storyline to watch, the Flyers’ biggest concern will be trying to slow down Jack Eichel and Mark Stone-two players who’ve been nothing short of electric this month.
Since January 6, both Eichel and Stone have racked up 14 points, tied for the NHL lead over that span. Stone enters Monday on an 11-game point streak, while Eichel is riding an eight-game streak of his own. That kind of production from your top line is the engine behind a winning streak, and Vegas isn’t shy about leaning on its stars to carry the load.
What makes this duo so dangerous isn’t just the numbers-it’s the way they’re generating offense. Stone’s vision and two-way play continue to be elite, while Eichel’s skating and finishing touch are giving opposing defenses fits. When they’re in sync like this, they’re a nightmare to contain.
Depth Stepping Up
The Golden Knights didn’t just win their last game against the Predators-they exploded in the third period, scoring five goals to blow the doors off what had been a tight contest.
That kind of offensive outburst doesn’t happen without contributions from all over the lineup. Sure, the big names delivered-Mitch Marner and Pavel Dorofeyev were in the mix-but it was the depth guys like Cole Reinhardt and Keegan Kolesar who really helped put the game out of reach.
That’s what makes this Vegas team so dangerous right now. They’re not just relying on one line or one power play unit. Everyone’s chipping in, and that balanced attack is tough to game-plan against.
What’s Next
The Flyers are desperate for a spark, but they’re walking into a tough environment against a team that’s found its rhythm. If Andersson makes his debut, the Golden Knights will be even deeper on the back end, and with Eichel and Stone playing like men on a mission, Vegas has a real shot to extend their winning streak to eight.
The formula is working: star power up front, depth scoring throughout the lineup, and a defense that’s about to get even better. If the Golden Knights keep playing like this, they won’t just be a team to watch-they’ll be a team to fear.