(Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)
In their first-ever postseason game, the Golden Knights defeated the Los Angeles Kings 1-0 in Game 1 of the opening round of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Although the series was decided by only four goals, Vegas went on to sweep the Kings. The first game of the seven-game series was wonky. Enough that then Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant informed the fans that Game 1’s can be nasty and sloppy. More importantly, those introductory games rarely reflect the characteristics of the rest of the series.
Since 2018, Vegas has participated in 18 Game 1’s in a full seven-game series. The Golden Knights are 11-7 to start a series. They are 8-3 in the series when they win Game 1, while 4-3 when they drop it. In 2023’s Stanley Cup run, VGK won 3 out of their 4 Game 1’s, and never faced an elimination game.
Game 1 Results In VGK History
- 04/11/18 vs. LAK: 1-0 VGK*
- 04/26/18 vs. SJS: 7-0 VGK*
- 05/12/18 @ WPG: 4-2 WPG*
- 05/28/18 vs. WAS: 6-4 VGK
- 04/10/19 @ SJS: 5-2 SJS
- 08/11/20 vs. CHI: 4-1 VGK*
- 08/23/20 vs. VAN: 5-0 VGK*
- 09/06/20 vs. DAL: 1-0 DAL
- 05/16/21 vs. MIN: 1-0 MIN (OT)*
- 05/30/21 @ COL: 7-1 COL*
- 06/14/21 vs. MTL: 4-1 VGK
- 04/18/23 vs. WPG: 5-1 WPG*
- 05/03/23 vs. EDM: 6-4 VGK*
- 05/19/23 vs. DAL: 4-3 VGK (OT)*
- 06/03/23 vs. FLA: 5-2 VGK*
- 04/22/24 @ DAL: 4-3 VGK
- 04/20/25 vs. MIN: 4-2 VGK*
- 05/05/25 vs. EDM: 4-2 EDM
*Won series
In Game 1 of the 2018 Western Conference Finals against the Winnipeg Jets, Vegas took some early costly penalties, which led to two power play goals. The Golden Knights fixed things in Game 2, and the Jets scored only two power play goals the rest of the series. Staying with the same postseason, Game 1 of the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals was wild. There were five lead changes, ten goals scored, and eight 5-on-5 goals. Also, the game wasn’t decided by star players. VGK received goals from Colin Miller, Ryan Reaves, and two from Tomas Nosek. That trio combined for one goal for the remainder of the series.
In the bubble, Game 1 against the Vancouver Canucks, Vegas scored 5 goals from five different players and took 39 shots on net. A season later, the Golden Knights got run out of the building, 7-1 in Game 1 of the 2021 second round series against Colorado. Vegas committed 44 minutes in penalties, allowed two power play goals and gave up ten quality shots on net. Fast forward in the series, and the Golden Knights rattled off four straight wins and advanced in six games. No one would have predicted that result after Game 1.
Game 1 Stats In VGK History
- Goals Scored Per Game: 3.22
- Goals Allowed Per Game: 2.44
- Shots Per Game: 30.6
- Shots Allowed: 30.5
- Power Play Opportunities Per Game: 3.44
- Penalty Kills Per Game: 2.77
- Power Play Goals Per Game: 0.88
- Power Play Goals Allowed Per Game: 0.55
- Penalty Minutes Taken Per Game: 10.3
- Penalties Committed Per Game: 3.55
After missing the postseason and changing coaches, the Golden Knights dropped Game 1 of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs 5-1 against the Winnipeg Jets. Like 2018, Vegas committed some early penalties vs. the Jets, and the opponent took advantage. Fortunately, Vegas never lost another Game 1 for the entirety of the playoffs. In fact, the Golden Knights won five out of their last six Game 1s but failed twice to advance.
VGK fans are hopeful for a better result in the opening round vs. Utah. They can rest assured though, even if the game doesn’t go the right way in Game 1, the series is far from over.
