I want to start this entry off with an obvious, but necessary statement. NOBODY knows what kind of league/playoff we will get upon an alleged resume of the 2019-20 campaign. As of now, there is a lot of speculation, being reported by anyone and everyone. Where and when the league will resume continues to be a question. This situation is unusual and remains fluid, but talk of a 24-team playoff-like format has been gaining traction.
Due to the accommodations available and the team’s first place standing, Las Vegas remains a big part of the return talks. They are reportedly being considered as a host city and will also have an interesting role in the return to play, in the lower half of the top four in the Western Conference. Below is the breakdown of the rumored 24-team format as reported by Pierre LeBrun, possible locations for the resumed season, and how the Golden Knights would fare in the proposed system.
Proposed Format:
According to Pierre LeBrun, the NHL’s proposed 24-team format would work out like so:
Top four teams in each conference play a three-game round robin.
Bottom eight teams take part in a play-in series, best of five games.
No. 5 (Pittsburgh/Dallas) versus No. 12 (Montreal/Chicago)
No. 6 (Carolina/Winnipeg) versus No. 11 (Florida/Arizona)
No. 7 (Toronto/Calgary) versus No. 10 (NY Rangers/Minnesota)
No. 8 (Nashville/Columbus) versus No. 9 (Vancouver/NY Isles)
Winners advance to a 16-team round. The top four teams in each conference could see movement in their seeding, based off their three round robin games.
Where’s It Going Down?
Cities with the room to accommodate large numbers of players and possibly their families are being looked at as potential “host cities” for the continuance. Las Vegas remains an option due to the centrally located stadium, surrounded by dozens of hotels with any amenity a player could ask for. Conforming to CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19 could be tough, but they’d certainly make it work. City of Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman would be ecstatic.
A plethora of other NHL cities are in the talks as a host. Multiple Pacific Division cities have been in the discussion, such as Arizona (Glendale), where the government is a little more lenient than others with COVID-19 restrictions. They also have multiple ice rinks in the area, if there was a need to divide and conquer in a no-fan format. Vancouver, Edmonton, and Toronto have been considered as additional options, but those locations could be tricky without a lift of the Canada-America border closure.
Golden Knights Outlook:
Over their first two seasons the Golden Knights experienced mixed successes. Year One brought four playoff series. Two went five games (Western and League Finals), one went six, and the first round was a four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Kings. Year two, the team lost a seven-game playoff rematch to the San Jose Sharks, after beating them a season prior in the second round (4-2). The build-up of the rivalry and a horrible penalty call took their toll on that round.
Over those five playoff series, the Golden Knights showed their ability to win big games, in both long form and short order. They’ve compiled a record of 16-11 over their past two playoffs. Personnel changes and a round-one exit come into play, but the makeup of the team is that of a cup contender. The top-six, now that they’ll be healthy, can compete with the best of the league. Forward depth is fairly solid to the third line, with line four operating as a prototypical grinding unit.
Defensively, the team has some serious strength, but also some question marks. Will a Holden-Whitecloud pair hold up in the playoffs? Can Shea Theodore carry the load for the at-times-stagnant Power Play? Will Nate Schmidt begin to reassert himself offensively? In net, the team is golden. Their tandem of Robin Lehner and Marc-Andre Fleury is one of the best in the league and can carry them through a playoff.
If one of the lower seeds were to pull off an upset during the play-in, the Golden Knights could use their essential first-round bye, to get a softer matchup. It’s entirely possible that a division winner could faceoff against a Blackhawks team with a mere 72 points (32-30-8 record). This break has helped no team more than the Golden Knights, who will be getting Mark Stone, Max Pacioretty, and Alex Tuch back from injury.
From top to bottom, the Golden Knights are a strong team, with dynamic high-end forwards. Their mix of veteran savvy and exciting youth serve them well in many situations. At just 23-years old, Theodore looks to be well on his way to a Norris Trophy. Strong, reliable goaltending will get this team far regardless of the format. Golden Knights fans should feel comfortable with their team’s chances once the restart comes. .
Short answer is yes. This format benefits the Golden Knights. They play games that matter to get ready for the "actual" playoffs and can move into a better seeding. With an 8-2-0 record headed into the pause, returning all-stars, and a whole lot of adrenaline, the Golden Knights will be a team to watch this summer.
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