The Vegas Golden Knights will host the Columbus Blue Jackets for their first meeting of the season at T-Mobile Arena on Thursday evening, January 30, 2025. This matchup occurs as the Golden Knights conclude their three-game homestand after suffering a narrow overtime loss to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday.
At present, the Golden Knights boast an impressive record of 31 wins, 15 losses, and 5 overtime losses, maintaining their position as strong competitors within the league. They are currently tied with the Edmonton Oilers, holding 67 points, and they enjoy the distinction of having the second-best home record this season at 19 wins, 6 losses, and 2 overtime losses. This performance puts them in good stead as they prepare to face the Blue Jackets, who enter with their own strong season record of 24 wins, 19 losses, and 7 overtime losses.
Notably, this game highlights the Golden Knights' celebration of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Knight. This event, presented by Zappos.com, aims to honor cultural diversity and features special guests, including representatives from the Las Vegas Asian Chamber of Commerce. A traditional Chinese dragon will even join the festivities, adorning the ice as part of the March to The Fortress before the game.
On the performance side, Tomas Hertl is riding high with a remarkable 10-game point streak, recording 14 points (8 goals, 6 assists) during this span. The Golden Knights’ power-play unit has also demonstrated efficiency this season, ranking second overall with a 28.3% success rate. These aspects contribute to the team's confidence heading onto the ice against Columbus.
Looking back at their recent game, the Golden Knights grappled with the Dallas Stars and were heartbroken after blowing a 3-1 lead, eventually falling 4-3. The three goals scored by Dallas within the latter part of the game underscored the importance of maintaining momentum over the full 60 minutes, something the team hopes to rectify against the Blue Jackets.
Mark Stone, captain of the Golden Knights, emphasized the need for his team to sustain the early leads. "To end this homestand strong, the Golden Knights need to keep up the momentum for the full sixty minutes," he stated following the tough overtime loss. This emphasis on consistency will be key as the team faces the Blue Jackets for the first time this season, aiming to improve upon their previous record of 1-1 against Columbus last season.
From the coaching perspective, head coach Bruce Cassidy echoed Stone's sentiments and remarked, "We need to stick to the basics and the same mentality of our game" for the upcoming match. His words reflect the strategic mindset the Golden Knights intend to adopt, seeking your typical reliable performances to secure victory at home as they continue their push toward the playoffs.
The Blue Jackets, entering Thursday's game ranked fourth in the Metropolitan Division, come off a recent win against the Los Angeles Kings, where they emerged victorious with a score of 3-2. Led by Zach Werenski and Kirill Marchenko, who are among the scoring leaders for Columbus, the Blue Jackets pose their own challenges for the Golden Knights.
Interestingly, this season's series holds significance as the Golden Knights have never faced the Blue Jackets at T-Mobile Arena, making the matchup all the more intriguing for fans. Historically, Vegas has maintained a solid record against Columbus, hoping to secure their 344th franchise victory with this game.
Noteworthy milestones include Brayden McNabb, who is four assists away from reaching 100 assists as a Golden Knight, alongside Ivan Barbashev and Adin Hill, who also have personal records approaching key numbers. With the Golden Knights eager to capitalize on their home crowd's energy, fans can expect an electric atmosphere as both teams vie for the win.
Viewers can catch the game broadcast on Vegas 34, stream through KnightTime+, or tune in to the radio on FOX Sports Las Vegas. The puck drops at 7 p.m., promising to deliver exciting hockey under the bright lights.