Summary of last season
The Vegas Golden Knights had an incredible season, winning the Stanley Cup in dominant fashion. They finished the regular season with 111 points and excelled on the road, going 26-7-8. In the postseason, they posted a +31-goal differential and went 16-4-2. Players like Jack Eichel, Chandler Stephenson, Jonathan Marchessault, Reilly Smith, Alex Pietrangelo, and William Karlsson contributed significantly to their success. The team had strong goaltending, with a combined 2.74 GA/G by their five goalies.
Now let’s take a look at what we can expect from the Vegas Golden Knights in the upcoming 2023-24 season:
Key Additions/Losses
Vegas traded Reilly Smith to Pittsburgh and lost Teddy Blueger, Laurent Brossoit, and Jonathan Quick during the offseason. Trading away Smith was a significant loss for the team, but most of their roster remains intact.
X-Factors
Adin Hill- Hill earned the starting goalie spot after a stellar postseason performance. The question is whether he can maintain that level of play throughout a full season. His performance will be crucial for Vegas’ success.
Reilly Smith’s Replacement- Smith’s departure leaves a gap in the team’s production. Mark Stone is expected to step up, but Vegas will be looking for someone to fill Smith’s shoes.
Goalie Outlook
The Adin Hill and Logan Thompson tandem is back, with Hill as the projected starter. Hill had an impressive 2022-23 season, but it remains to be seen if he can replicate that success. Thompson is waiting in the wings as a strong backup option.
Grade: B+
Key Schedule Stretch
From November 14th to December 9th, Vegas will face 13 games, with 10 of them on the road. This stretch includes matchups against tough playoff-caliber teams like Washington, Pittsburgh, Dallas, Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton. It will be an important period to test their road performance and compete against strong opponents.
Notable Odds
- Stanley Cup Champions – +1200
- Conference Winner – +600
- Division Winner – +260
Prediction
Vegas may not be the top team in the Western Conference, but they are still expected to secure a playoff spot in the Pacific Division. Teams like Edmonton, Colorado, and Dallas are considered stronger heading into the season. However, Vegas has the potential to make moves before the trade deadline and make another deep playoff run. They are projected to surpass 103.5 total points in the season.
Over 103.5 Team Total Points
Stanley Cup 2023/24 Odds
Outright
Carolina Hurricanes +900
Toronto Maple Leafs +1000
Colorado Avalanche +900
Edmonton Oilers +900
New Jersey Devils +900
Vegas Golden Knights +1200
Boston Bruins +1500
Dallas Stars +1400
New York Rangers +1400
Florida Panthers +1600
Los Angeles Kings +2000
Tampa Bay Lightning +2000
Minnesota Wild +3300
Buffalo Sabres +3300
Calgary Flames +3300
Pittsburgh Penguins +2800
Seattle Kraken +2800
Ottawa Senators +4000
New York Islanders +5000
Vancouver Canucks +5000
Detroit Red Wings +6600
Nashville Predators +6600
St. Louis Blues +5000
Washington Capitals +8000
Winnipeg Jets +5000
Chicago Blackhawks +15000
Columbus Blue Jackets +10000
Anaheim Ducks +15000
Philadelphia Flyers +15000
Arizona Coyotes +25000
Montreal Canadiens +25000
San Jose Sharks +25000
Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
