The Vegas Golden Knights are hitting the road again, and this four-game East Coast swing is loaded with storylines - reunions, rivalries, and a few emotional returns that are sure to fire up fans on both sides of the ice. It all begins in Boston, but the marquee matchup comes one night later in Toronto, where a former cornerstone of the Maple Leafs makes his highly anticipated return. Let’s break down the three biggest reunion games on this road trip and what they mean for the Golden Knights as they push deeper into the season.
1. Mitch Marner Returns to Toronto - January 23 vs. Maple Leafs
Circle this one in permanent marker. Mitch Marner facing the Maple Leafs for the first time since leaving Toronto isn’t just a game - it’s a moment. The former "Core Four" winger was a lightning rod for both praise and criticism during his time in Toronto, and that hasn’t changed since his departure.
Earlier this month, when Vegas hosted the Leafs at T-Mobile Arena, you could hear the boos from a small but passionate group of Leafs fans every time Marner touched the puck. Now imagine that energy multiplied by an entire arena. ScotiaBank Arena will be loud, emotional, and possibly hostile when Marner steps onto that ice in a Golden Knights jersey.
But beyond the drama, this game matters. The Maple Leafs are in the thick of a competitive wild-card race, and Auston Matthews is doing what he does best - carrying the offensive load and keeping Toronto in the playoff mix. Vegas will need to match that intensity, and Marner will be at the center of it all, whether he wants to be or not.
2. Bruce Cassidy Returns to Boston - January 22 vs. Bruins
Before the Toronto fireworks, Vegas kicks off the trip with a reunion of its own - Bruce Cassidy heading back to Boston. The Golden Knights’ head coach was let go by the Bruins in a move that raised eyebrows at the time. Vegas scooped him up, and all he did was lead them to a Stanley Cup.
Cassidy’s return to TD Garden will be significant, but don’t expect the same kind of reception Marner might get in Toronto. While there were whispers of a strained locker room culture during his time with the Bruins, Cassidy also led Boston to consistent playoff appearances and was generally respected for his hockey mind and results.
Now, he returns with Jack Eichel and a Cup-winning roster. It’s a tough matchup - Boston remains one of the NHL’s most disciplined, structured teams - and it sets the tone for what’s going to be a grueling road stretch for Vegas. But make no mistake: this is a game Cassidy will want badly.
3. Mark Stone Faces the Senators - January 25 vs. Ottawa
Mark Stone’s history with the Ottawa Senators is well-documented, and every time he faces his former team, he seems to rise to the occasion. In seven games against the Sens, Stone has piled up four goals and eight assists - four of those games were multi-point efforts.
That’s not a coincidence. That’s a captain leading by example.
And this January? Stone is on a heater.
Heading into the week, he’s already racked up eight goals and nine assists in the month - scoring in all but two games. He’s projected to hit 31 goals and 51 assists over just 55 games, which would mark one of the most productive seasons of his career.
Against Ottawa, expect Stone to turn up the intensity. He’s a player who thrives on emotion and big moments, and this game checks both boxes. If he continues his current pace, this could be another signature performance in a month that’s already been red-hot.
Final Thoughts
This road trip isn’t just about picking up points - it’s about navigating tough environments, managing emotions, and showing the kind of resilience that defines championship-caliber teams. From Cassidy’s return to Boston, to Marner’s emotional showdown in Toronto, to Stone’s continued dominance against his former club, the Golden Knights are stepping into the spotlight in a big way.
Get ready. This stretch is must-watch hockey.