(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)
We’ve looked at the easiest stretches of the schedule for the Golden Knights in 2025-26. Now, let’s dig into the toughest ones.
October 20th to November 10th
vs CAR, at FLA, at TBL, at CAR, vs COL, vs DET, vs TBL, vs ANA, vs FLA
The first six games of the season are going to be crucial for the Golden Knights because this stretch lies right behind them. There are just three road games in this 9-game group, but seven of the nine are against playoff teams. Playing three games in four nights in Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, and Raleigh is incredibly difficult, and then the extra day off gets cut short with the Nevada Day game against the Avs. Detroit and Anaheim stand alone as the “gimmes,” and there’s an argument that both have a shot to make the playoffs this season as well. Getting a point per game is not exactly the goal early in a season, but if VGK walk away from this with nine points, it won’t be bad.
February 25th to March 10th
At LAK, at WSH, at PIT, at BUF, at DET, vs MIN, vs EDM, at DAL
This brutal collection of games comes right out of the Olympic break (which we expect at least five Golden Knights to participate in) and starts with a ridiculous road trip, beginning in California and ending in Michigan. The “easiest” three games happen on a three-in-four stretch with 500 miles to fly in between. Then, when VGK finally returns home, it’s a who’s who of familiar playoff opponents. Oddly, the back end of this stretch was listed as one of the easiest stretches because they typically perform well coming off breaks, and the trade deadline will likely offer some help. If the road trip goes well, Minnesota, Edmonton, and Dallas will look like blips on the radar of the beginning of an easy part of the schedule. If they struggle, there’s a real chance they are staring at five or six points in eight games at a crucial time.
March 21st to April 14th
At NSH, at DAL, at WPG, EDM, WSH, VAN, CGY, at EDM
It starts with a back-to-back against teams likely to be competing for playoff spots, then a miserable flight up to Winnipeg before returning home for the grind of a game against the current biggest rival. Hopefully, at this point in the season, the Golden Knights aren’t chasing points to either stay in the playoff race or advance up the ladder. It’s probably the toughest end to a season VGK have ever faced, especially if Seattle is halfway decent. Usually, there are Sharks, Ducks, and Coyotes games mixed in there that offered up free wins. In the last 13 games, it’s Nashville, Vancouver, Calgary, and Seattle that look like the easiest games, and there’s an argument for any of them to be much better and make the final three weeks look even tougher.
