Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy talks about his top line of Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner and Ivan Barbashev. LAS VEGAS -- If history means anything, the Golden Knights will have no trouble in Wednesday's season opener at home against the Los Angeles Kings. The Golden Knights enter the 2025-26 campaign 7-1-0 all-time in season openers, including 4-1-0 mark when opening their season at home. Vegas has won six straight season openers, including four in a row at T-Mobile Arena. "You come into the building and you feel the buzz, you feel the energy, you can feel that the fans have been kind of itching to get back into the building after a summer and I feel like we feed off that," said defenseman Shea Theodore, who has been with the Golden Knights since their inception into the league. "We always get good energy. I feel like it gives us that boost. ... I think just feeling off the crowd, the energy that it gives guys, you know, it's infectious." During the winning run in season openers at home, the Golden Knights have outscored opponents, 27-16. And in their seven season-opening wins, the team owns an impressive goal differential of +18. For coach Bruce Cassidy, opening night in his mind will last the entire month. "I look at opening night as a stretch of probably October, 10 games," Cassidy said. "I've said this many times. I think it's easier if you don't have to chase the standings early in the year, by that I mean, get on on a bad run early so negativity creeps in and then you're constantly trying to get to that playoff spot, right? "If you can get off to a good start pretty positive about yourself, the group. It allows you a little leeway later on. Cause nothing ever goes smooth a hole here, so you got yourself a little breathing room." Here are three things to look for in the opener: JACK AND MITCH The addition of Mitch Marner to the lineup has everyone buzzing, from fans to the Knights, including linemate Jack Eichel. The two are hoping to find the same harmony Marner had with Auston Matthews in Toronto. Marner is coming off his first career 100-point season, after scoring 27 goals and assisting on 75 others (102 points) in his final season with the Maple Leafs. Since he entered the league during the 2016-17 season, Marner has recorded the eighth-most points (741) and the fifth-most assists (520). Eichel, meanwhile, is also coming off a career-best season, after registering 94 points (28 goals, 66 assists) along with an all-time high plus-32. Eichel finished fifth in voting for the Hart Trophy, and with Marner on his line, figures to be a candidate once again. "I'm excited, it's gonna be great," Eichel said after morning skate. "The excitement for a new season, obviously, we bring a guy like Mitch in and we add some other pieces, there's some new faces in the room, some guys with excitement. It's great, I'm so excited for him for a lot of reasons. But, just having the opportunity to what is possibly a fresh start for him here in Vegas." BLUE LINE When general manager Kelly McCrimmon acquired Noah Hanifin at a bargain price, it was another example of Vegas' uncanny ability to land a sought-after player to fill a role. Heading into the season, it seems prophetic on McCrimmon's part, with the potential pressure the blue liners may feel without Alex Pietrangelo, who will miss this season. Plus, Vegas lost a key member from the blueline who helped win the organization the Cup, as Nicolas Hague was shipped to Nashville in a cost-cutting move. Nevertheless, the team has depth and experience with Theodore, Hanifin, Brayden McNabb, another charter member, and Zach Whitecloud, whose also been with the organization since it arrived but started with its AHL team. Jeremy Lauzon was part of the return for Hague, and will try to fit in as well. "Depth is the strongest asset we have as a team," Hanifin said. "We got so many guys that can contribute in so many ways. When you lose a guy like Petro, it obviously hurts. He's a huge part of this locker. A huge piece of the team. I think it also opens the doors up for other guys to step up and try to fill that role the best they can. And we got guys in this room that are, I think, definitely ready to do that." TOP OF THE HILL Back as the No. 1 netminder, Adin Hill is the six-million-dollar man between the pipes and comes into the season after playing in a career-high 50 games last season. Since joining the Knights in 2022-23, Hill ranks fourth in the NHL among goaltenders who have played at least 100 games, with a 2.55 goals-against average. His save percentage in that same time frame ranks 10th, at .909. "He's really solidified himself in that net. And as a D man in front of him, I think when we keep things to the outside, keep it simple, he's gonna make the stops. And then obviously, when there is breakdowns, it does happen in a game, he's had our back numerous times. He's a great goalie. I think in terms of his career, he's still building it. He has the potential to be a very good goalie in this league. The sky's the limit for him."
