The Golden Knights are no strangers to finding themselves deep in playoff series. Tonight’s Game 6 will be Vegas’ 11th in their nine-year history. They have a 6-4 record and have won four in a row and five out of six.
The spot they currently find themselves in has been the most successful out of the four possible options for a series to arrive at a Game 6.
Up 3-2 following a win
2018 – at SJS – 3-0 Win
2021 – vs COL – 6-3 Win
2023 – at EDM – 5-2 Win
2025 – at MIN – 3-2 Win
Up 3-2 following a loss
2019 – vs SJS – 2-1 Loss (2OT)
2020 – at VAN – 4-0 Loss
2021 – at MIN – 3-0 Loss
2023 – at DAL – 6-0 Win
Down 3-2 following a win
Down 3-2 following a loss
2021 – at MTL – 3-2 Loss (OT)
2024 – vs DAL – 2-0 Win
After a win in Game 5 to take a 3-2 series lead, VGK have gone on to win not only the series, but Game 6 itself, every single time. Also, the Golden Knights have scored within the first seven minutes of all four games.
VGK have asserted their dominance in this situation time and time again. In 2018, they smoked the Sharks from start to finish to book a trip to the Western Conference Final. In 2021, they fell behind on the first shift of the game but evened the score less than a minute later before taking control late in the 2nd. In 2023, Reilly Smith scored on the first shift of the game, and then Jonathan Marchessault’s natural hat trick buried the Oilers in the middle frame. And finally, last year, VGK capitalized on an early power play and then took over the game in the 2nd.
Not once in the four games have the Golden Knights trailed at any point in the 3rd period, and the only game that finished within a goal saw the Wild cut the 3-1 lead to 3-2 with less than four minutes to go.
This spot is extremely difficult for the team, down 3-2 in the series, as VGK experienced in both 2021 and 2024. The path is double as long for the team trailing in the series, which is why 80% of the time, the team that wins Game 5 goes on to win the series, and about 60% of those, they get it done in Game 6.
As for Utah, this is all new to them. Most players on the roster have never tested themselves with their backs against the wall in an elimination game. Even fewer have done it this deep into a series. They don’t know how they are going to react.
Vegas does, and that bodes well for the Golden Knights.
