The Vegas Golden Knights are not the only team making frequent trips to overtime this NHL season; the trend is widespread across the league. Currently, the Golden Knights lead the NHL in overtime losses, playing 13 overtime games out of their 30, which accounts for 43.3 percent of their total matches. So far, they’ve emerged victorious in two of these games during their recent streak.
As of Thursday, the NHL has seen 492 games played, with more than a quarter—133 games, or 27 percent—going to extra time or shootouts. This competitive climate can be attributed to increased parity in the league, as noted by Knights’ coach Bruce Cassidy. Teams like the Anaheim Ducks have exceeded expectations, tying with the Knights for first in the Pacific Division, while the San Jose Sharks, only three points behind, have found success in overtime as well.
The Knights concluded their season-long five-game road trip with a solid 3-2 overtime victory against the Philadelphia Flyers. Despite their nine overtime/shootout losses, the Knights have managed to gather points in 24 out of 30 games. Cassidy highlighted the team’s improvement, noting they are minimizing turnovers that lead to scoring opportunities for their opponents during these critical moments.
Looking forward, the Golden Knights are set to face the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are struggling with a four-game losing streak. The Blue Jackets, despite being near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, remain within three points of a wildcard playoff spot, demonstrating the competitiveness of the league. Golden Knights players, including Mark Stone, are optimistic about their current form and confident that maintaining their style of play will yield a successful season as they travel to Columbus for the upcoming game.
In contrast, the Blue Jackets have been led by defenseman Zach Werenski, who has 32 points, and are expected to start goaltender Jet Greaves, who is currently the number one option after a transition from Elvis Merzlikins. Despite a three-game losing streak, Greaves has showcased solid performance with only six goals allowed on his past 91 shots.
As the Golden Knights prepare for their match against the Blue Jackets, their focus remains on consistency and capitalizing on their strengths to ensure success as the season progresses.