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It might be a new year. It might be the 10th season. Much is the same with the Vegas GoldenKnights. They know how to win season openers, and win coaching debuts.
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Coach Ryan Craig’s debut as Knights coach couldn’t have gone better in a complete 5-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks at T-Mobile Arena on Tuesday.
The Knights improved to 8-1-1 all-time in season openers and are 5-0 in the debut game for the head coach.
Center Jack Eichel had a goal and two assists, reaching 700 points in his career, and forward Trevor Connelly scored his first goal in his NHL debut.
Defenseman Noah Hanifin scored his first goal since Dec. 9, and forward Victor Olofsson scored in his return to the Knights after signing a one-year deal on July 1.
Goaltender Carter Hart finished with 23 saves.
The Craig era couldn’t have gotten off to a better start. The Knights overpowered Chicago from the jump. Their rush game created a number of odd-man rushes that would’ve made the score more lopsided than the 2-0 they had.
The Knights signed Olofsson the first time in July 2024 because of his shooting ability as a power play option. It didn’t take him long to reintroduce himself in that department after returning two years later.
He took a pass from center Jack Eichel skating down his off side, and his shot from the left circle picked the top right corner at 10:30.
Then came Connelly, the 20-year-old prospect who has given the Knights a jolt of youth and upside they’ve arguably never had.
Connelly batted down a point shot from defenseman Brayden McNabb, gathered it and scored on the rebound with 4:38 left in the first.
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Arms in the air, Connelly slammed into the glass behind the Chicago net and was mobbed by his teammates.
Connelly got the treatment suited for rookies in their first game. As is tradition, he was the first to take the ice for his customary rookie lap.
He joins first ever draft pick Cody Glass as the only 20-year-olds to debut with the Knights and score in their first game.
Chicago got to its game and cut into the lead midway through the second period on a goal from fourth-line forward Jordan Greenway at 12:23 of the period.
The Knights assumed dominance from then on out with extended time in the offensive zone.
Eichel answered 2:49 after Greenway’s goal after a lengthy shift from the top line to make it 3-1.
The 29-year-old became the ninth U.S.-born player to reach 700 points in fewer than 700 games.
The Knights have an .850 points percentage in season openers, the best among all teams, and have earned a point in eight straight openers.
Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane cut the lead to 3-2 early in the third period. Kane, a three-time Stanley Cup champion with Chicago, returned to the franchise after spending the last three years with Detroit.
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This story was originally published September 29, 2026 at 10:51 PM.