Vegas Golden Knights Battle Injuries In Playoff Exit

The Vegas Golden Knights faced a challenging postseason as they saw their bid for consecutive Stanley Cups come to an end in the first round. However, their journey was marred not only by the playoff defeat but also by a significant injury toll, with coach Bruce Cassidy revealing that nine players on the roster underwent surgeries during the campaign.

With only 23 players on the roster, having nine undergo surgeries was a major setback for the Golden Knights. The team, boasting 20 returning players from their 2022-23 title-winning squad, entered the playoffs with heightened expectations but had to navigate through multiple injury absences.

Despite questions surrounding how a fully healthy Vegas team would perform in the postseason, the Golden Knights started the series against the Dallas Stars with promise. After taking a 2-0 series lead, they faced a tough challenge as the Stars rallied to win three straight games, forcing a decisive Game 7.

The Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore acknowledged the team’s struggles in adjusting to the Stars’ game plan after going 2-0 up in the series. He emphasized the importance of making quick adaptations to ensure success, especially in critical moments like the playoffs.

NHL Injury Viz data highlighted that the Golden Knights were one of the teams significantly impacted by injuries during the 2023-24 season. Players like Alec Martinez and Max Pacioretty had extended absences, with Martinez missing 35 games and Pacioretty sidelined for 26 games due to injuries.

Acquiring Tomas Hertl from the San Jose Sharks on March 8, the Golden Knights were hoping for a boost, but Hertl’s limited playing time due to a knee procedure added to the team’s injury woes. With key players like Robin Lehner also being sidelined for various games, the Golden Knights faced a tough battle to maintain lineup consistency.

Cassidy highlighted the challenge of integrating injured players back into the lineup quickly, especially before the playoffs. Despite the setbacks, captain Mark Stone commended the team for their resilience amid a season plagued by injuries, stating that reaching Game 7 against a formidable opponent like the Stars was a commendable achievement.