Vegas Golden Knights clinch 2024 Stanley Cup Playoff berth

The reigning Stanley Cup Champions are headed back to the playoffs.

The Vegas Golden Knights clinched a playoff berth following the Carolina Hurricanes win over the St. Louis Blues. Vegas defeated the Minnesota Wild 7-2 to give them the extra two points.

The Golden Knights have compiled a 43-28-8 record and 94 points through 79 games and sit in the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.

Vegas is led by Jonathan Marchessault who has tallied a career-high 42 goals and 26 assists for 68 points in 79 games. Jack Eichel has scored 30 goals and 65 points in 60 games while William Karlsson and Mark Stone have each eclipsed the 50-point threshold. Stone was placed on long-term injured reserve with a lacerated spleen and as of Friday was back on the ice skating and is expected to return for Game 1 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Golden Knights added Noah Hanifin and Anthony Mantha prior to the 2024 trade deadline to bolster their roster ahead of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Hanifin has tallied 11 points in 17 games and recently signed an eight-year, $58 million extension. Mantha has scored 10 points in 17 games. Vegas also added Tomas Hertl in a blockbuster deal with the San Jose Sharks, Hertl recently returned from injury and has one goal and one assist in three games.

Vegas of course is coming off a Stanley Cup win after defeating the Florida Panthers in five games during last year’s playoffs. Marchessault captured the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP after recording 13 goals and 25 points in 22 games.

The Golden Knights will face off against the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday, the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday and the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday to round out the 2023-24 regular season.