As the NHL pauses for its Christmas break, it's a fitting time to assess how the Vegas Golden Knights' current season stacks up against their previous campaigns. The Golden Knights find themselves in a familiar position atop the Pacific Division, but a closer look reveals some intriguing differences compared to past years.
Current Standing and Performance
As of December 27, 2025, the Vegas Golden Knights hold a record of 17 wins, 8 losses, and 10 overtime losses, totaling 44 points. This places them 1st in the Pacific Division. The team has scored 109 goals while allowing 100. Their power play has been a significant strength, but their penalty kill has struggled. The team's resilience has been tested, as they have a league-leading 10 losses in overtime or a shootout.
Comparison to Previous Seasons
When examining their performance at the Christmas break in previous seasons, some trends emerge:
- Point Percentage: The Golden Knights' current .629 point percentage is their lowest since the 2021-22 season.
- Goal Differential: Their plus-9 goal differential is their third-worst output at this point in the season.
- Wins: The team's 17 wins are their fewest at this juncture of the season, but so are their eight regulation losses.
To provide a clearer picture, here's a comparison of their records at the Christmas break in recent seasons:
- 2024-25: 23-8-3, .721 Point Percentage, +24 Goal Differential (Lost Second Round)
- 2023-24: 21-9-5, .671 Point Percentage, +23 Goal Differential (First Round)
- 2022-23: 24-11-1, .681 Point Percentage, +19 Goal Differential (Stanley Cup Champions)
Factors Influencing the Current Season
Several factors have contributed to the Golden Knights' performance this season:
- Injuries: The team has battled numerous injuries to key players, including captain Mark Stone, center William Karlsson, and top defenseman Shea Theodore. Goaltender Adin Hill has also been sidelined.
- New Additions: The arrival of Mitch Marner has bolstered the team's offense, particularly on the power play. However, adjusting to new linemates and systems can take time.
- Defensive Adjustments: The team is adjusting to the absence of Alex Pietrangelo, relying on newcomers Jérémy Lauzon and Kaeden Korczak.
- Goaltending: While Carter Hart has shown promise, the team's overall goaltending performance has room for improvement.
Looking Ahead
Despite some challenges, the Golden Knights remain in a strong position. Their offensive depth, led by Jack Eichel, Mark Stone and Mitch Marner, is among the league's best. The team has shown resilience in overcoming adversity. The Golden Knights need to improve their penalty kill and high-danger save percentage. As key players return from injury, the team should become even stronger. The Golden Knights have a tough stretch of games coming out of the break, facing the Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, and Nashville Predators. Their performance in these games will provide a clearer indication of their Stanley Cup contention.
