NHL Team Preview: Vegas Golden Knights

The Vegas Golden Knights have been one of the best teams in the NHL since they entered the league as an expansion team. Vegas is routinely one of the best regular-season teams, and they always seem to get even better in the postseason as well.

The Golden Knights have favorable betting odds again this season, and it would be a major disappointment to not see this team back in the postseason. There have been some changes made to the roster, but this franchise has enough talent to compete with any team in the NHL.

Vegas is back in the Pacific Division this season, and that should make things even easier for them in the regular season. Few expansion teams in any professional sport have been as successful as the Golden Knights have been. 

Big Additions

There were a few big additions for the Vegas Golden Knights this offseason, but it’s not like this team needed some major improvements. Four notable players are joining the roster and will provide some depth to a team that already knows how to win.

Evgenii Dadonov was acquired in a trade with the Ottawa Senators and he is someone that could score around 25 goals this season. Brett Howden is another player that was acquired in a trade and he could see some impactful minutes this season. 

Impactful Subtractions

The Vegas Golden Knights made a stunning move this offseason by trading Marc-Andre Fleury to the Chicago Blackhawks in a salary dump. Vegas was not willing to pay for two high-priced goaltenders, but moving on from Fleury could easily come back to bite the Golden Knights this season.

Vegas could also see a setback on defense as they traded Ryan Reaves to the New York Rangers. Reaves was a player that provided some physical play and toughness to the Golden Knights and that could especially be missed in the postseason. 

There were some other moves made during the offseason, but losing Fleury and Reaves are two moves that could be questioned if the Golden Knights struggle this season. 

Key Players

Despite making some questionable moves during the offseason, the Vegas roster is still absolutely loaded with talent. The Golden Knights made some unbelievable picks during the expansion draft when they entered the league, and few teams are able to compete with the depth on this roster.

Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty are the leaders on offense for the Golden Knights and they will be tasked with scoring goals and also making things easier on their teammates. Vegas is loaded with offensive talent, but Stone and Pacioretty have been the two most important offensive players for Vegas.

In the blue paint, all of the pressure will now fall on Robin Lehner. Lehner has been sharing time with Marc-Andre Fleury, but he won’t be looking over his shoulder this season. 

Online Sports Betting Odds

The Vegas Golden Knights are a clear favorite to win the Pacific Division when looking at the betting odds. Vegas is listed at -180 to win that division, and the Edmonton Oilers are next on the list at +460.

You will also find Vegas listed as one of the top picks to win the Western Conference, but the Colorado Avalanche are the favorites in that department. Vegas has odds set at +300 to win the West, and Colorado is above them at +190. 

Winning the Stanley Cup is one of the hardest things to do in sports, but Vegas should have a great shot at that as well. The Golden Knights have odds set at +700 to win the coveted trophy, and those odds will be changing as the year moves along.

* All odds provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.