These 5 things could end up costing the Las Vegas Golden Knights a championship in 2021.
#5 The new regular season
The NHL's new policy of only playing teams in your division has caused mixed reactions in the hockey world, including
Las Vegas Golden Knights fans. While the new schedule may give the Knights an easy way into the playoffs, the idea of playing the same teams over and over again isn't very appealing. Furthermore, it doesn't give them a chance to play against the quality opponents they will be facing in the playoffs, which gives them no way of adequately preparing.
#4 The St Louis Blues
While there is almost no chance of the Golden Knights falling out of playoff contention, especially after starting the season with a record of 14-4-1, there is a chance that they could lose the top spot in the standings. In fact, the St Louis Blues are only four wins away from tying the Golden Knights and have 28 points of their own. This could spell trouble for the playoff picture.
#3 Covid-19
Covid-19 has already played a factor for the Las Vegas Golden Knights before this season and very well could again before all is said and done. A player getting sick could be the difference in seeding when it comes to the playoffs, a worst-case scenario. The point is, something can happen at any time, and the Knights need to prepare for the unexpected.
#2 The Tampa Bay Lighting and Andrei Vasilevskiy
Believe it or not, the biggest challenge the Las Vegas Golden Knights will have to face this year is the one at the very end of the journey. Now, if the Knights do manage to pull off that feat, it is almost certain that they would go up against defending Stanley Cup Champion, Tampa Bay Lightning. Unfortunately for the Knights, the Lightning has one of the best goalies in the league in Andrei Vasilevskiy, who has already played three shutouts this season. Compare that to Marc Andre Fleury's one and you start to see the problem.
#1 Their goalie rotation
It's no secret that the combination of Marc Andre Fleury and Robin Lehner have brought the team to new heights in 2020, and it looks like they plan to do the same in 2021. With that being said, a rigorous schedule still ahead of them- what if the Golden Knights were suddenly without one or the other? Now, it might not be that bad if the Knights were without Lehner for a night, but imagine if he was somehow injured long-term. Not only would this force Andre Fleury to stand-in during his absence, but it also doesn't give him the time he needs to rest.
On the other hand, it would arguably be even worse to lose Marc Andre Fleury, who has only allowed 24 goals past him this season.
5 Things Hindering the Las Vegas Golden Knights This Season
These 5 things could end up costing the Las Vegas Golden Knights a championship in 2021.
#5 The new regular season
The NHL's new policy of only playing teams in your division has caused mixed reactions in the hockey world, including Las Vegas Golden Knights fans. While the new schedule may give the Knights an easy way into the playoffs, the idea of playing the same teams over and over again isn't very appealing. Furthermore, it doesn't give them a chance to play against the quality opponents they will be facing in the playoffs, which gives them no way of adequately preparing.
#4 The St Louis Blues
While there is almost no chance of the Golden Knights falling out of playoff contention, especially after starting the season with a record of 14-4-1, there is a chance that they could lose the top spot in the standings. In fact, the St Louis Blues are only four wins away from tying the Golden Knights and have 28 points of their own. This could spell trouble for the playoff picture.
#3 Covid-19
Covid-19 has already played a factor for the Las Vegas Golden Knights before this season and very well could again before all is said and done. A player getting sick could be the difference in seeding when it comes to the playoffs, a worst-case scenario. The point is, something can happen at any time, and the Knights need to prepare for the unexpected.
#2 The Tampa Bay Lighting and Andrei Vasilevskiy
Believe it or not, the biggest challenge the Las Vegas Golden Knights will have to face this year is the one at the very end of the journey. Now, if the Knights do manage to pull off that feat, it is almost certain that they would go up against defending Stanley Cup Champion, Tampa Bay Lightning. Unfortunately for the Knights, the Lightning has one of the best goalies in the league in Andrei Vasilevskiy, who has already played three shutouts this season. Compare that to Marc Andre Fleury's one and you start to see the problem.
#1 Their goalie rotation
It's no secret that the combination of Marc Andre Fleury and Robin Lehner have brought the team to new heights in 2020, and it looks like they plan to do the same in 2021. With that being said, a rigorous schedule still ahead of them- what if the Golden Knights were suddenly without one or the other? Now, it might not be that bad if the Knights were without Lehner for a night, but imagine if he was somehow injured long-term. Not only would this force Andre Fleury to stand-in during his absence, but it also doesn't give him the time he needs to rest.
On the other hand, it would arguably be even worse to lose Marc Andre Fleury, who has only allowed 24 goals past him this season.
