The Vegas Golden Knights, despite holding second place in the Pacific Division with 28 points, are facing unexpected challenges early in the season. Captain Mark Stone's recent comments shed light on the team's recurring struggle: falling behind early in games.
Early Deficits Plague the Knights
Stone stated, "Getting down early in the game is killing us. We know we're going to wear them down eventually... We just have to start that way." This sentiment reflects a pattern seen throughout the season, including during the 2025-26 season.
Opening Knight Woes
In the season opener against the Los Angeles Kings, the Golden Knights found themselves down 2-0 after the first period, eventually losing in a shootout 6-5. A similar scenario unfolded the following day against the San Jose Sharks, where Jeff Skinner scored the game's first goal, putting Vegas on the back foot.
Goaltending Concerns
In a recent game against the Ottawa Senators, goalie Akira Schmid allowed soft goals, contributing to an early 2-0 deficit. This highlights the importance of strong goaltending to avoid these early holes.
Knights at the Quarter Mark
Despite these challenges, the Golden Knights remain a top team in the NHL at the quarter mark of the season. Coach Bruce Cassidy and the team are working to address the issue of slow starts and ensure consistency throughout the game. The team is also closely watching Carter Hart's debut.
Recent news also highlights the team ending a four-game losing streak with a win over the Sharks. The team also signed Carter Hart, which has sparked mixed reactions from fans.
The Golden Knights' ability to overcome these early deficits will be crucial for their continued success this season.