No matter the highs or lows, the Vegas Golden Knights like to keep things light – and delicious

Jonny Lazarus
Jonny Lazarus
No matter the highs or lows, the Vegas Golden Knights like to keep things light – and delicious
Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Many expected the Vegas Golden Knights to have a Stanley Cup hangover. And if history has shown us anything, that’s pretty common.

But when the club skated out to a 14-4-2 record to kick off the 2023-24 campaign, it was clear that wasn’t a problem. But it’s been a totally different story the past few months, with the club going just 15-11-4 since Nov. 20.

Record aside, this group knows what it takes to win, no matter who’s in the lineup. They’ve got a close bond. And that only gets strengthened on road trips, including the current one throughout the New York area over the past few days.

Many players often refer to the NHL as the “Never Hungry League,” with players looking forward to the different cuisines on the road. That’s especially true when you’re heading to big city. Goaltender Adin Hill is apparently the master of finding the best food places, by the way.

“We went to Catch the first night, then the other Catch [Catch Steak] the next night. Quality Italian was last night – that chicken parm warm honey is the best,” forward Paul Cotter said.

“The city of New York is probably my favorite city to play in on the road,” said Jonathan Marchessault, who scored a hat-trick against the Rangers. “We do a couple of dinners, have a couple of beers with the guys and we definitely get close as a group.” 

Another special moment came when the team brought the Cup to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The team’s owner, Bill Foley, was a 1967 West Point graduate, and it was incredible for the players to have this moment with some of the cadets. 

“That place is sweet,” Cotter said. “As an American, you probably appreciate it a little more than others. It’s a whole new world. It was pretty eye-opening how some of those guys were walking in, all in a single file line while we’re just walking around in sweat suits.”

For the 24-year-old forward, that afternoon was extra special. One of Cotter’s best buddies, Drew Garby, is a defenseman at West Point.

“Never did I think I’d be having lunch with Drew at West Point, so it was pretty cool and it’s a crazy place with a lot of history. I have a lot of respect for all those guys”, Cotter added. 

The trip also marked Brendan Brisson first-ever road trip to New York City. Brisson scored his first NHL goal on Jan. 21, the last game before the road trip, and he looked forward to continuing the momentum on the road early in his career.

“You always dream of that first goal, that first game,” Brisson said. “I was able to have a lot of family and close friends there, so it was great to see all the support from old teammates and even the guys in the room. It’s been an awesome two weeks.”

Brisson is in his second full year of pro hockey, and was in the midst of a solid sophomore effort with Henderson before the call up. It has taken some adjustment, but he’s enjoying the trial by fire.

“The hotel, the food, just the city – it’s been awesome to play the Devils, Islanders, and Rangers,” said Brisson, who didn’t dress for the game against the Rangers. “Being able to skate in Madison Square Garden was pretty cool. I was looking around, there’s a lot of history. Everyone dreams of playing there, so hopefully one day and suit up and play a game.”

Vegas currently sits in second place in the Pacific Division with a total record of 29-15-6. Jack Eichel, Shea Theodore, William Carrier and William Karlsson are out due to injury, so they’ve needed younger guys like Cotter – and to a lesser extent, Brisson – to step up. 

And they’ll need that help going forward – and a lot of the same camaraderie – if they’re going to repeat as champions. But no matter the struggles, you can never count this team down – a group that knows a thing or two about pulling together.

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