The Vegas Golden Knights pulled off a thrilling 3-2 victory on the road, shaking up their three-game trip with a win against a formidable Stanley Cup contender. Reilly Smith's sharp rebound shot was the catalyst, and now the Knights are eyeing a strong finish to this trip on Tuesday.
The Winnipeg Jets may not pose a significant threat this season, as they're watching the Nashville Predators perform their own miracles. But let's take a closer look at what's ahead for the Golden Knights:
- March 24 @Winnipeg
- March 26 vs.
Edmonton
- March 28 vs.
Washington
- March 30 vs.
Vancouver
- April 2 vs.
Calgary
- April 4 @Edmonton
- April 7 @Vancouver
- April 9 @Seattle
- April 11 @Colorado
- April 13 vs.
Winnipeg
- April 15 vs.
Seattle
That's a schedule ripe with opportunities to rack up points.
Before Sunday's win over the Stars, the outlook was bleak. But now, there's a chance to build momentum.
Why the Vegas Golden Knights' win over the Dallas Stars matters
Some might point out that the Golden Knights faced a backup goaltender, but Casey DeSmith has been stellar this season. With a GAA of 2.42, he's sixth in the NHL, and his .907 save percentage has made him a key part of the Stars' strong goaltending duo.
The Knights also had to contend with Wyatt Johnston, a known nemesis who notched a power play goal. Johnston's knack for high-danger chances has haunted Vegas, with six career goals against them.
Yet, Vegas overcame these challenges with depth scoring and crucial saves from Adin Hill. The path ahead is promising, with only three of the remaining 11 games against playoff-bound teams (two against Edmonton and one against Colorado). This sets the stage for a potential run.
However, the onus is on the Golden Knights to capitalize on this opportunity. If Sunday's victory is merely a fluke, it won't matter. But triumphing over a quality team like the Stars could be the confidence boost they need for the stretch run.