The Vegas Golden Knights overcame a slow start to secure an impressive 6-2 victory over the Seattle Kraken on December 21, 2024, at T-Mobile Arena. This win marked their twelfth come-from-behind success of the season, demonstrating the team’s tenacity and skill.
From the outset, the game presented challenges for the Golden Knights. Just two minutes after the first puck drop, Nicolas Hague was called for holding, allowing the Kraken to capitalize with an early power play goal just eight seconds later. This quick strike put the Knights on their heels, trailing 1-0 and forcing them to confront their recent trend of slow starts—having allowed the first goal for the fifth consecutive game.
Head coach Bruce Cassidy expressed concerns about his team not executing well early but remained confident. “What snaps out of us is the other team scores, and we gotta get going,” he said after the game. “It’s human nature to sometimes play down to the level of opposition.” Nonetheless, the Knights showcased their experienced roster and ability to adapt. They rallied back quickly, scoring three unanswered goals to take the lead before the end of the first period.
Key players contributed significantly to the comeback. Just over ten minutes after falling behind, Keegan Kolesar and Brett Howden found the back of the net within 80 seconds, igniting the crowd and the team. Hague later added another goal, supported by assists from Jack Eichel and Mark Stone. Eichel's play continued to shine through, notching two assists during the game, bringing his season total to 35, which is second best in the NHL. “We know we’re a pretty old team,” Hague remarked. “There are guys who have been around, so there’s lots of experience.” This veteran presence has smoothened the team's capacity to maintain composure during tight situations.
By the end of the game, the Knights had scored five unanswered goals, solidifying their dominance over the Kraken, with Ilya Samsonov making 21 saves out of 23 shots and picking up his eighth win of the season. The Knights improved their record to 22-8-3, tying with the New Jersey Devils for the second-best record across the league.
This victory sets the stage for their upcoming clash against the Anaheim Ducks on December 23, 2024, where the Knights aim to claim their fourth straight win and maintain their strong hold within the Western Conference standings. Currently sitting second with 47 points, the Golden Knights are on the hunt for the top spot, just two points behind the Winnipeg Jets who lead the conference.
The Ducks, who entered the matchup with 30 points and are 13th in the Western Conference, may offer another opportunity for the Knights to stack points. With their recent form of winning eight out of their last nine games, Cassidy's squad enters the next encounter as heavy favorites. Cassidy noted, “We want to create as much separation as possible,” emphasizing the significance of every game, especially within their division.
Looking forward, Cassidy acknowledged the need for “a complete, 60-minute performance” to avoid the pitfalls of slow starts, which have mired their recent games. Players have been rallying to meet these expectations, with Eichel leading the charge not just offensively but also through his situational awareness on ice. “We’ve got to get the next goal, stay in the game, and get to our game,” Cassidy remarked about the team’s strategy moving forward, citing the varying contributions needed from different players as pivotal.
The Knights will look to build on this momentum against the Ducks, with strong performances against division rivals being key to their aspirations for the season. With Cassidy making lineup adjustments successfully and players like Howden stepping up, the Golden Knights are positioned well as they head closer to the Christmas break.
With both teams having their share of injuries—most significantly Trevor Zegras for the Ducks—it could be advantageous for the Golden Knights to capitalize early and maintain pressure. The anticipation is high as fans are eager to see if the Golden Knights can keep their winning streak alive, making their upcoming home game another exciting event to watch.
