Somehow, the Vegas Golden Knights are already 10 games into the 2022-23 campaign. After a disappointing 2021-22 season, the Golden Knights made a number of changes, highlighted by bringing in Bruce Cassidy as the new head coach.
Even with the news that startling goalie Robin Lehner would miss the entire season, hopes were high that Vegas could recover after missing the playoffs for the first time in 2022.
So far, things appear to be headed in the right direction for the Golden Knights as they look to return to the playoffs in 2023.
Here are a few takeaways from the first 10 games of the campaign.
No.1 – Hot start
Through 10 games, the Golden Knights are 8-2-0, the second-best start in team history. The 2020-21 Vegas squad went 8-1-1 through its first 10 games, eventually advancing to the semifinals of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
While it is early, the Golden Knights are currently atop both the Pacific Division and Western Conference standings with 16 points.
FiveThirtyEight gives Vegas a 91% chance to make the postseason at this point, while also projecting them to win the Pacific Division with 104 points.
No. 2 – Everyone is contributing
While no particular Golden Knight is leading the league in any categories or running away with the team’s stat titles, VGK is getting contributions from multiple players.
After notching the overtime winner against Winnipeg on Sunday, Jack Eichel currently leads the team in points with 10 and is tied for the team lead in assists (6) alongside Alex Pietrangelo.
Jonathan Marchessault is Vegas’ leading goal scorer with five, also adding three assists. Chandler Stephenson has tallied three game-winners for the VGK, while defenseman Shea Theodore is currently the team’s leader in plus/minus at +11.
Mark Stone, Reilly Smith, and William Karlsson are also having solid seasons for Vegas, as are the goaltenders. Which leads us to…
No. 3 – Tandem goaltending is working
After the news of Robin Lehner’s season-ending injury well before camp had even begun, many people – myself included – thought the Golden Knights were going to have issues at the netminder position.
Thus far into the season, however, Vegas has found success playing Logan Thompson and Adin Hill in tandem, and both have put up great numbers thus far.
Thompson has played in six games, registering a 4-2 record with a 1.69 goals-against average, a .943 save percentage and a pair of shutouts.
Hill has started the other four games in the net for the VGK, sporting a perfect 4-0 record with a 1.72 GAA and .940 SV%.
Thanks to the goaltending pair, the Golden Knights are currently leading the NHL in goals against per game (1.70), save percentage (.941), and shutouts (2).
No. 4 – Phil Kessel’s milestones
One of the highlights of the season so far has been new Golden Knights forward Phil Kessel.
Facing San Jose on Tuesday, Oct. 25, Kessel became the NHL’s new ironman, surpassing Keith Yandle while playing in his 990th consecutive game.
To add to the NHL milestone, Kessel also scored against the Sharks, the 400th goal of his career.
WRITTEN IN THE STARS! 😱
PHIL KESSEL'S 400TH CAREER GOAL! pic.twitter.com/Eu6qRXUmx4
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 25, 2022
Up next
The Golden Knights look to build on a great start to the season, taking on Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals on the road next.
The game will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 1, with puck drop set for 5 p.m. MT. All 2022-23 Vegas Golden Knights games can be seen on AT&T Sportsnet.
Stats via ESPN and CBS Sports. Predictions are via FiveThirtyEight. Current as of Oct. 31, 2022.
