On December 21, 2024, the Vegas Golden Knights showcased their dominance over the Seattle Kraken with a commanding 6-2 victory at T-Mobile Arena. This win marked the Golden Knights' 12th come-from-behind rally of the season, following a shaky start where they trailed early for just over ten minutes.
The excitement was palpable even before the puck dropped, as former Golden Knight Chandler Stephenson returned to the Fortress for the first time since signing with Seattle. A video tribute celebrated his time with the Knights—who won the Stanley Cup during his tenure—and his contributions were noted as important for the Kraken during their so far disappointing season.
Initially, it seemed the Kraken had the upper hand, taking the lead just two minutes after the start when Vince Dunn netted the opening goal, thanks to assists from Chandler Stephenson and Yanni Gourde. Yet the Knights were quick to respond; Keegan Kolesar tied the game at 1-1 following a breakaway, capitalizing on Victor Olofsson’s precise pass. Less than three minutes later, Jack Eichel maneuvered behind the net to set up Brett Howden, who put Vegas up 2-1 with just under ten minutes left in the first period.
Vegas continued to build momentum as Nicholas Hague extended the lead to 3-1 with just minutes remaining, punctuating the first period with three unanswered goals. The Knights ended the period leading not only on the scorecard but also on shots, reflecting their regained confidence and offensive prowess.
The second period saw no scoring from either side, with each team putting ten shots on goal. Vegas maintained their two-goal lead going forward, showcasing strong defense complemented by stellar goaltending from Ilya Samsonov, who made 21 saves throughout the game, improving to 8-3-1 this season.
It wasn’t until the third period when the Golden Knights struck again, netting three more goals. William Karlsson got the ball rolling at 8:09, followed by Noah Hanifin's goal just three minutes later to stretch the lead considerably to 5-1. Mark Stone then sealed the victory by scoring an empty-net goal, marking Stone's first multi-point game since October 26.
For all of their struggles this season, the Kraken managed to find some solace, with both of their goals stemming from power-play opportunities. Dunn's early goal and Jaden Schwartz's rebound score late, coincidentally highlighted their own challenges as both goals came in the face of overwhelming pressure from the Knights.
The Kraken's loss extended their current losing streak to four games, with issues apparent on both ends of the ice. Notably, they remain 23rd overall in goals-for per-game, averaging only 2.80, which has become disproportionately evident throughout their losing streak—scoring just two goals or fewer again too often. Coach Dan Bylsma recognized the need for his squad to prioritize both offensive and defensive contributions to turn the tide and stimulate playoff hopes as the season progresses.
Remarkably, Stephenson illustrated his worth, registering two assists during the match. Despite not performing to his career-high standards this season, his ability to contribute offensively has been pivotal for the Kraken.
Vegas, meanwhile, has found chemistry across their lines, with players mentioning the importance of maintaining balance and depth to remain successful. "We always talk about trying to use our depth. I think we’re at our best as a group when we’re able to roll through lines," remarked defenseman Nicolas Hague, emphasizing the Knights' approach toward the game as they continue their push for eventual playoff positioning.
The victory is also significant for coach Bruce Cassidy, tying him with Gerard Gallant for the most wins by a head coach in franchise history, advocating the remarkable potential of this current team to make another deep postseason run.
Looking next to the schedule, Vegas will host the Anaheim Ducks, setting stark expectations based on their recent performances. The Kraken, now low on confidence, will strive to break their own losing streak when they face off against the Colorado Avalanche for the last time before the holiday break. The outcome of these games could determine the paths both teams find themselves taking as the season progresses.
