The Vegas Golden Knights enter Saturday with a long-awaited opportunity to make the playoffs after a season that has included many ups and downs. After moving on from head coach Bruce Cassidy and making a move at the trade deadline, the Golden Knights now find themselves within reach of the postseason, a situation that once seemed uncertain.
This opportunity came against the NHL's top team, the Colorado Avalanche. The Golden Knights can secure their spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in one of two ways, which we'll get into shortly.
For a team that has endured ups and downs in a tumultuous campaign, the stakes are clear. Take care of business and the Golden Knights have arrived. Let's look at those two options.
1. Victory and the Golden Knights have arrived
Of course, the easiest path forward for the Golden Knights is a win over the Avalanche, although that's easier said than done. A win would all but secure their playoff spot, eliminating the need to rely on help elsewhere and providing a jolt of momentum heading into the final stages.
Avalanching is a difficult task. They are 8-2-0 in their last 10 games and have already secured the President's Trophy, which is awarded annually to the team with the league's best regular season record.
For the Golden Knights, the match also marks the end of a four-game road trip in which they have gone 2-0-1, extending their point streak to seven games. In keeping with their postseason fortunes, the Golden Knights come off playing some of their most consistent hockey of the season.
2. Loss to the Nashville Predators or Winnipeg Jets
If the Golden Knights fall to the Avalanche, their playoff hopes can still be secured with the right results during the league.
If either the Nashville Predators or Winnipeg Jets lose, the Golden Knights will clinch a postseason berth. In that scenario, they would maintain enough separation in the standings to secure their spot, regardless of their own result.
Although returning to the playoffs is not the preferred path, it would still serve the primary purpose of extending the season.
Puck drop in Denver is at 5:00pm PST.
