Game Notes Countdown To The NHL - #5 Vegas Golden Knights

Ethan Miller. Getty Images.

NHL TEAM: Vegas Golden Knights

CONFERENCE: Western

DIVISION: Pacific

2022-23 Recap: From The Vegas Insider

“Vegas in 5!!” 

The $EBR crew had this at +575 as the Knights completed the season by raising Lord Stanley and bringing a Championship to the desert.  Our final Chiclets Boost with Barstool Sportsbook also hit +550 with Vegas -1.5, Barbashev over .5 points, and Over 5.5 when Vegas pummeled the Panthers with a signature 9-3 win to end the season.  Some are saying these two boosts really did break the book and are the real reason Penn sold Barstool back to Pres.

Team owner Bill Foley called it when the franchise was introduced that they would win the Stanley Cup in the first 6 years and the team made him look like a wizard with that call.

Biggest Loss: Reilly Smith - An original misfit that was always a name talked about to be on the move due to cap implications but the Knights made it work so he got the Cup and had a hell of a playoff. He departs for Pitt and will be a great addition to the team with his speed and scoring touch. Big loss for the Knights. 

Biggest Addition: Ivan Barbashev - He was traded at the deadline and was as important as any player in the playoffs for the Knights so he is not a “new” addition but the fact they got him to stay for $5 million a year shows that players love it in the Desert. The human cigarette machine will continue his dominance and have another great year. 

2023-24 Outlook: They still have the best D-corp in the league and yes the Cup hangover will have an effect on them like every team but a top-2 finish in the Division and a chance to go back-to-back will be there.

Player To Watch: Pavel Dorofeyev -  got called up at the end of the season when Vegas was maneuvering around the salary cup. He had 7 goals in 18 games proving he can score at the top level. I think he is going to be slotted into where Reilly Smith played.  

2023-2024 Season Bet: Over 102.5 team points -115, Jack Eichel 30+ Goals +120

Everybody Rides!!!

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