Golden Knights fail to sell out home game for first time in franchise history

One of the NHL’s most impressive streaks has come to an end.

The official attendance in Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena for Thursday’s game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vegas Golden Knights was 15,977, nearly 1,400 shy of the venue’s capacity of 17,367. As first reported by Sin Bin Vegas, it was the first time in franchise history the Golden Knights did not sell out a home game.

Vegas would win the game 4-3 in a shootout after they stormed back from a three-goal deficit. Jack Eichel, Brett Howden and captain Mark Stone scored in regulation before Trevor Connelly buried one past Sergei Bobrovsky in the fifth round of the shootout.

The streak spanned 10 seasons and a combined 420 regular-season and Stanley Cup Playoff games, including five Pacific Division titles, five Conference Final appearances, three Stanley Cup Finals and one championship earned in 2023.

The news generated reaction from fans and media across the league. Some noted it was surprising when you consider the Leafs have one of the best traveling fanbases in the league. Others pointed out it was just the third home game of the season for Vegas, who reached the Stanley Cup Final last season.

One social media user said with more professional sports franchises in town, Las Vegas residents may not be so inclined to buy tickets.

The Pittsburgh Penguins hold the NHL record for the longest-ever streak at 633 games, a 14-year run from February 2007 to October 2021.