(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

After the opening month of the season, the Vegas Golden Knights were a top-seven team with a .682 points percentage. In November, Vegas ended the month with a concerning .536 points percentage and dropped to 17th overall. So, clearly, the Golden Knights would like to bounce back this month. They’ve gotten off to a good start to December after last night’s thrilling comeback victory against Chicago.

This weekend, Vegas will begin their annual Metro New York winter road trip. Under coach Bruce Cassidy, Vegas has had trouble on this trip. However, this season it was moved up a month. So, maybe the timing will pay off considering the team’s eagerness to keep pace with the pack.

VGK’s Winter NY Trip Under Cassidy

2024-25 season: Feb. 2nd – 8th (4 Points)

4-2 loss @ NYR
2-1 loss @ NYI
3-1 win @ NJ
4-3 win @ BOS

2023-24 season: Jan. 22nd – 27th (5 Points)

6-5 OT loss @ NJD
3-2 win @ NYI
5-2 win @ NYR
5-2 loss at@ DET

2022-23 season: Jan. 22nd – Feb. 9th (4 Points)

4-1 loss @ ARI
3-2 loss @ NJD
4-1 loss @ NYR
2-1 loss @ NYI
5-1 win @ NAS
5-1 win @ MIN

In their Stanley Cup run season, Vegas was scheduled a brutal six-game, 15-day journey. With a stretch of travel like that, it’s no wonder the Golden Knights went 2-4-0 during that span. Thankfully, for Vegas, the next week and a half of games will be in or around New York City, Philadelphia and Columbus. All short flights or drivable (or train-able) locations. Plus, there’s not a single back-to-back in the mix.

With only five home contests in December, the Golden Knights must succeed on the road. It starts in New Jersey on Friday. Earning the majority of points on this trip would set Vegas up for a strong final month of the calendar year.

VGK’s December Itinerary

12/05: @ New Jersey
12/07: @ New York Rangers
12/09: @ New York Islanders
12/11: @ Philadelphia
12/13: @ Columbus
12/17: vs. New Jersey
12/20: @ Calgary
12/21: @ Edmonton
12/23: vs. San Jose
12/27: vs. Colorado
12/29: vs. Minnesota
12/31: vs. Nashville

Despite it feeling a little rocky due to the overtime losses, Vegas is picking up points at a much more successful clip than other playoff contenders. If the Golden Knights can perform at a .615 points percentage the rest of the way, they will easily qualify for the postseason. Last season, the final Western Conference wild card spot ended the regular season with a .585 points percentage. That figure would be the lowest percentage in VGK history. Of course, the league’s influx in OT’s could pull that number up.

November was a dud, but December could be a springboard into the new year. The home-to-road ratio makes this month challenging. Getting off to a good start on the East Coast would make tougher games to Colorado, Edmonton, Minnesota, and San Jose later in the month less impactful.