The NHL has released its Opening Night slate for October 7. It features action-packed fun involving six teams. However, Las Vegas will notice a particular group missing from the fray.
Do you notice a certain team name missing from the equation? That's right, my friend. The Vegas Golden Knights aren't playing on Opening Night in a rare occurrence.
That means hockey fans won't see Mitch Marner make his Golden Knights debut on October 7. That could also lend some credence to the rumors that Vegas will play against the Toronto Maple Leafs in their first game (or not, depending on how you spin it). Imagine how spicy the drama would be if the former "Core Four" member returned to ScotiaBank Center to a chorus of boos.
Alas, fans will have to wait an extra day or two for their hockey. The longer wait will antagonize some fans to the point where the hairs start falling off their heads, leaving a shiny canvas for people to paint.
It's only a few days, at worst. You'll be fine.
Ironically, the Golden Knights didn't get an Opening Night game last season, either. They got a game against the Colorado Avalanche the next day, where they doubled up the Avs at T-Mobile Arena, 8-4.
This was where Ivan Barbashev and Mark Stone scored 24 seconds apart. It was Jack Eichel's biggest statistical game, for he scored four assists. He'd finish with 66, shattering the franchise record for the most in a season.
It also started a journey to the Pacific Division crown and 110 points in a season. While the postseason result was less desirable, it still set the tone for a spectacular season. Most people didn't expect the Golden Knights to come with guns a' blazin', taking the NHL by storm.
This season? It'll be a little different. With Mitch Marner in tow, everyone knows Vegas is coming. It'll be a matter of living up to those expectations. It just won't happen on October 7, 2025.
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