Vegas Golden Knights: Everything you need to know before the playoffs begin

The Vegas Golden Knights lead the Western Conference in points and have been on an absolute tear this season. Not one player stands out from a team that might be one of the deepest in hockey. They’re getting contributions from across the team, and have led the Vegas Golden Knights to be expected favorites to go to the Stanley Cup in the Western Conference.

Here’s a look at where the Vegas Golden Knights stand as they contend for the NHL playoffs

Forwards

The Vegas Golden Knights have spent and spent in recent seasons making their offensive attack a premiere one in the league, and it worked. Any concerns over Jack Eichel’s neck surgery are long gone. The Golden Knights are celebrating maybe the best trade in their history. Eichel has 54 points in 58 games this year for the Golden Knights and has performed above expectations.

For the rest of the forwards, it’s depth and experience. William Karlsson, Reilly Smith, Nicolas Roy, and Jonathan Marchessault have all been franchise mainstays since the expansion draft. They have been key pieces in winning season after season. Chandler Stephenson, who the Golden Knights acquired in free agency after a disappointing stint with the Capitals, has been a standout again this season, with the best statistical season of his career.

Defensemen

The Vegas Golden Knights' most powerful strength in this department is their experience. Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb are franchise cornerstones and have a depth of playoff experience going back to the Stanley Cup run in 2018. Alex Pietrangelo was a major part of the St. Louis Blues' cup run in 2019. Of course, everyone remembers Alec Martinez’s goal to win the Stanley Cup altogether in 2012.

The Vegas Golden Knights have been able to stay mostly healthy as well on the blue line. They haven’t had to switch up their lines very much on a blue line already stocked with talent. Zach Whitecloud and Nicolas Hague might be on the second line on most other teams in the NHL. Every defenseman in the top six has a defensive win share of over 2.5, making them one of the best defensive units in the league.

Goalies

Two words: Jonathan Quick. The Vegas Golden Knights needed help in net at the NHL Trade Deadline. They got some and more by acquiring a player on a personal vendetta. Jonathan Quick was offended when he was dealt by the Kings to the Columbus Blue Jackets after being a franchise cornerstone in LA for a decade and a half. Quick, currently riding a two-week hot streak, might be the most dangerous goalie in the entire Western Conference.

The Golden Knights have relied upon a young star as well in Logan Thompson, who carried the team well for the first half of the season before acquiring Quick in the absence of Robin Lehner this year. Thompson’s stellar play will create a difficult decision for Knights’ management on who they will turn to in game one of the NHL playoffs.