Golden Knights bring 2025 to a close against Predators

Before the ball drops and the calendar switches to 2026, the Vegas Golden Knights have one more piece of business to take care of.

On Wednesday, the Golden Knights close out the calendar year with a New Year’s Eve matinee against the Nashville Predators.

Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, NV

Date: Wednesday, December 31

Time: 12:00 pm PST

How To Watch: ESPN+, SCRIPPS

Radio: 1340 AM, 94.7 FM

Needless to say, the first half of the season is one the Golden Knights will be eager to put behind them. Injuries and inconsistency have been far too common, highlighted by the team looking on pace to shatter the single-season record for most overtime losses (the record in 18, Vegas has 11 in 34 games). In order to take a step back to being a Stanley Cup contender, the Golden Knights are going to have to clean up their game in several aspects.

Here is how the final game of 2025 can serve as a launch point.

Change of fortunes

While the Golden Knights and Predators are at different levels of the NHL hierarchy, it would be hard to tell from recent stretches of play.

The Golden Knights are limping into the end of the year with losses in five of their last six games, including a dreadful 5-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild in their last outing. Meanwhile, the Predators are starting to pick it up with four wins in their last six. Simply put, the Golden Knights need something to go their way to get any sort of momentum back.

Play angry

After being embarrassed on home ice, the Golden Knights are going to be challenged to pick their game up.

While taking unnecessary penalties is a sure way to land in Bruce Cassidy’s doghouse, do not be surprised to see the Golden Knights play physical and take some frustrations out on their opponent. Keegan Kolesar leads the team with 111 hits so far, while three defenseman (Jeremy Lauzon, Zach Whitecloud, Brayden McNabb) have over 60. Beating down the Predators will undoubtedly tire them out, leaving them susceptible to mistakes later on.

Return of the Jack?

Fortunately for the Golden Knights, their center woes may be close to being over.

Jack Eichel has gone from the red non-contact jersey to a regular jersey during Tuesday’s practice, and it looks like he can return to the lineup as early as this afternoon. Eichel still leads the team with 41 points despite missing the last six games, and it has been clear that the team has missed his skill set on the ice. Inserting their best player does not fully solve the Golden Knights’ problems, but it is at least a start.