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In this edition of the hotstove, we share our thoughts on Vegas' early season success and if they will be able to parlay it into a playoff berth come April.
Todd Cordell
This seems more obvious after consecutive road wins in Nashville and Dallas but, yes, I think the Golden Knights will make the playoffs.
I was very skeptical of their success early in October – they were routinely being out-shot and out-chanced yet rode the percentages to wins – but they have improved a ton and I now view them as a legitimate playoff caliber team.
I know their roster isn't exactly loaded with marquee names but they've found a way to play better than the sum of their parts.
Their speed has been a huge factor as its allowed them to put teams on their heels and carry play on a nightly basis. It has also helped them draw more penalties than they take – they're tied with Tampa Bay for 6th in the league in penalty differential – which puts them in a good position to win the special teams battle more often than not.
I don't know how much noise they'll make if and when they get there, but I think Vegas is a playoff team.
Jared Crozier
I wasn't a fan of the way the team drafted, and I thought they made a lot of mistakes. So much for me thinking I know anything.
You keep expecting a let-down but they keep on winning, even having faced a ridiculous run of injuries to the most important position for an expansion team - between the pipes.
At this point in the season, you have to think they are for real and have shown no signs of slowing down.
I wouldn't have believed it in October, still would have doubted it in November but now almost half way through December I think they are a playoff team, and from there, who know.
I guess $500M buys more in 2017 than what previous expansion teams were able to get for their entry fee.
Seattle might win a Cup in year 1 for $650M!
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