{"id":385883,"date":"2026-01-02T03:06:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T03:06:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/385883\/"},"modified":"2026-01-02T03:06:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T03:06:12","slug":"vgk-below-historical-averages-on-january-1st","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/385883\/","title":{"rendered":"VGK Below Historical Averages On January 1st"},"content":{"rendered":"

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(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)<\/p>\n

Dating back to the first season in 2017-18, in seasons that began in October, the Golden Knights have earned the luxury of starting the new year in 1st or 2nd place every single year, and this year is no different.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s team has been bolstered by overtime losses, but they\u2019ve maintained the franchise\u2019s stranglehold over the Pacific nonetheless.<\/p>\n

VGK Record By January 1st<\/p>\n

2017-18: 54 Points (26-9-2) 1st Pacific
\n2018-19: 52 Points (24-15-4) 2nd Pacific
\n2019-20: 50 Points (22-15-6) 1st Pacific
\n2021-22: 44 Points (22-12-0) 1st Pacific
\n2022-23: 52 Points (25-12-2) 1st Pacific
\n2023-24: 49 Points (22-11-5) 2nd Pacific
\n2024-25: 53 Points (25-9-3) 1st Pacific
\n2025-26: 45 Points (17-10-11) 2nd Pacific<\/p>\n

On this January 1st, though, things feel different.<\/p>\n

Losses have been more common, the Pacific is competitive, and the West is stacked, at least at the top. Without burying the lede any further, this is the first time a Vegas team hasn\u2019t reached 120 goals or a positive goal differential. The previous lows were 123 goals scored and +9 goal differential by New Year\u2019s Day. This team has 119 goals and a +0 goal differential.<\/p>\n

VGK\u2019s Goals Scored By January 1st<\/p>\n

2017-18: 134 Goals, +26 Goal Differential
\n2018-19: 130 Goals, +15 Goal Differential
\n2019-20: 134 Goals, +9 Goal Differential
\n2021-22: 123 Goals, +21 Goal Differential
\n2022-23: 131 Goals, +20 Goal Differential
\n2023-24: 127 Goals, +21 Goal Differential
\n2024-25: 131 Goals, +29 Goal Differential
\n2025-26: 119 Goals, 0 Goal Differential<\/p>\n

Like most clubs, the Golden Knights faced extended injuries to several impact players. However, the wishy-washy results occurred with and without a healthy roster. After October, Vegas allowed the first goal in the majority of games and severely struggled in overtime. Another concern is their inability to beat a quality Western Conference opponent<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A year ago today, the Golden Knights had a 13-2-1 record against the Pacific and a 20-2-2 vs. the West. This season, Vegas is 8-6-6 in the conference and 5-2-4 in the division. It\u2019s rare for the Golden Knights to hand out 24 conference points at this point in the season.<\/p>\n

If anyone were to give a standard corporate assessment on the Golden Knights\u2019 season so far, \u2018meets expectations\u2019 would be the closest option available, and if there\u2019s a \u201cbarely meets,\u201d it\u2019s probably that. Vegas certainly hasn\u2019t \u2018exceeded expectations,\u2019 yet they\u2019ve managed to do enough to remain in 2nd place on New Year\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n

To stay there, they need to play better in 2026.<\/p>\n

VGK 2025 Calendar Stats<\/p>\n

Record: 42-23-18
Points: 102
Points Percentage: .614
Goal Differential: +35<\/p>\n

Goals: 37, Hert\/Dorofeyev
Points: 87, Eichel
Assists: 57, Eichel
Plus\/Minus: +22, Theodore\/Barbashev
Shots: 256, Dorofeyev
PIM: 67, Kolesar
Hits: 243, Kolesar
Blocks: 180,\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) January 1, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

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