Las Vegas Golden Knights - Contenders or Pretenders?

[ModAdmin]

As of November 19th they are 12 and 6, in second place in the Pacific Division, one point behind the Kings who lead the division (and who the GK's beat tonight).  Are they contenders or pretenders?

[Chris1982]

They are definitely off to a good start - and have a good combination of youth and experience, offense and defense - still way too early to tell if they will have long term success after not even playing 20 games yet in their entire existence... however they definitely look like one of the best expansion teams ever and definitely look like a playoff contender.

[BomberPride]

I agree, it's still too early to tell. I think by February we'll have a better idea of how real the Knights are.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

I opt for the third choice. They are overachievers. I think they'll fall back to earth as the grind of 82 games sets in (they can't keep up their torrid pace every night) and when their no-name goaltenders have their inevitable regression. Being in Vegas they'll have a lot of travel as well.

[blue_or_die]

I opt for the third choice. They are overachievers. I think they'll fall back to earth as the grind of 82 games sets in (they can't keep up their torrid pace every night) and when their no-name goaltenders have their inevitable regression. Being in Vegas they'll have a lot of travel as well.

Agreed. I don't want to be thrown in the "hater pile" but I'm not convinced anything they have is anything more than a pleasant surprise (for them, and Bettman) and is not sustainable. I think they will even out middle-of-the-pack by the end of the season. However, if management is smart, they will become contenders faster than most will have predicted. Just not this year.

[gbill2004]

They will revert to who they really are and will miss the playoffs. 

[buckzumhoff]

I think they have good coaching.. they seem faster than other teams. They have team speed and they check hard. I think they make the playoffs and get by at least the first round, knocked out in the second or third round.

[GOLDMEMBER]

The Golden Showers will regress and miss the playoffs

[The Zipp]

They are certainly looking like the real thing so far...

[blue_or_die]

They are certainly looking like the real thing so far...

No way they miss the playoffs now...

[gbill2004]

No way they miss the playoffs now...

Yep, I'll eat my words on my earlier prediction.  This is pretty incredible. 

[blue_gold_84]

No way they miss the playoffs now...

Agreed. They're sitting pretty going into the second half of the season.

[GOLDMEMBER]

The Golden Showers will regress and miss the playoffs

I change my mind they are contenders

[Jockitch]

Last night's loss to the Blues was only the Knights 10th loss in regulation, plus have only 2 OT losses.   BEYOND BELIEF at this point.

[theaardvark]

Moneyball?  Is that what we're seeing?  The results are greater than the sum of the parts?

Good coaching?  The players have obviously bought in.

Is it sustainable?  Can they ride this into the playoffs, and then what?  Is this team built to win in that situation?

I guess we will see...