Daily Nuggets: Golden Knights News, Predictions; Playoff Probabilities

To quote ‘Badger Bob’ Johnson, it’s a great day for hockey– and it’s also a great day for college basketball. The Vegas Golden Knights are back in action on Thursday at home against the Boston Bruins at 7 p.m.; to hold you over, March Madness is finally upon us. I have no horse in the race, so I’ll be rooting for upsets, upsets, and more upsets.

The Golden Knights are almost certainly making the postseason, but now we know the magic number of games they need to win down the stretch to guarantee their spot in the dance. The good news is that the Golden Knights will have some reinforcements to help them get there. There are 15 games left in the regular season, and I dusted off my crystal ball to predict how everything will play out.

Elsewhere in the Daily Nuggets, the Golden Knights’ 6th overall pick in the 2017 Draft is thriving as a Devil. Gary Bettman spoke at the GM meetings and delivered a slew of information for the coming 2025-26 season. Six of the seven Canadian-based teams are currently in a playoff spot– the odd man out is the Calgary Flames.

Golden Knights News

Playoff Tracker: Nine is the magic number– if the Golden Knights win nine of their remaining 15 games, they’re guaranteed a playoff spot. Now, if they only win eight, they’ll miss the postseason. Kidding. This number just accounts for last-minute miracle runs from teams that don’t control their destinies. Realistically, the magic number is probably closer to four or five.

Speaking of the last 15 games of the regular season, I tried my hand at a few predictions. I predicted the Golden Knights’ record down the stretch, the Pacific Division winner, and which two players will hit big milestones. Give it a read and tell me what you think.

Thursday night has a full schedule— the Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, and Los Angeles Kings are all in action. Tonight could prove to be a big one in the standings. 

When the Golden Knights face off against the Boston Bruins tonight, it appears they’ll do so with William Karlsson back in the lineup. Karlsson hasn’t played since January 20th and would be an immediate impact player. Shea Theodore took the ice in a regular jersey when the Golden Knights practiced on Wednesday

NHL Rumors, News, & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: The 2025 NHL Draft will be unlike any other in a non-COVID year— it’ll be decentralized. Commissioner Gary Bettman hasn’t hidden that he’s not a fan of this setup, and this draft will likely be the last of its kind.

Philly Hockey Now: NHL commissioner Gary Bettman spoke at the general manager meetings on Wednesday. He dropped some news about when the NHL/NHLPA will meet to discuss the CBA, when the 2025-26 season will begin, and more. William James has you covered with everything you missed.

New Jersey Hockey Now: When the Pittsburgh Penguins sent first-ever Golden Knights draft pick Cody Glass to the Devils at the trade deadline, no one could have foreseen his impact on the club. With the injury to Jack Hughes, Glass is the new second-line center. He has five points in his first five games with the Devils.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins’ odds of making the playoffs fall to 0%, but their odds in the draft lottery rise.

Montreal Hockey Now: Wouldn’t you know it, the Canadiens currently occupy the second wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference. 

NHL History: On March 20th, 1971, two brothers faced each other in goal for the first time– Ken Dryden of the Montreal Canadiens and Dave Dryden of the Buffalo Sabres.