The Golden Knights head into the 2026 playoffs as Pacific Division champions, but with no illusions of invincibility. In a season where parity reigns, Vegas is just one of many teams that could either bow out in the first round or hoist the Stanley Cup.

Coach John Tortorella, who replaced Bruce Cassidy on March 29, has sparked a turnaround. The Knights finished 7-0-1 under Tortorella, clinching the division title and home-ice advantage for at least two rounds. Key to that surge has been goalie Carter Hart, who returned from injury to go 6-0, providing stability in net.

“Have to get to another level in all areas,” Tortorella said. “Puck battles, wall play, our discipline. It’s the most exciting time because everyone is playing at a different level.”

The Knights open against Utah, a series that tests their newfound confidence. Defenseman Brayden McNabb acknowledged the team’s resilience after a season of ups and downs. “We have a belief in here now, and that’s huge,” he said. “It’s the No. 1 thing you have to have. Anything can happen in the playoffs.”

Forward Reilly Smith emphasized the value of experience. “Having a lot of guys with experience winning a Stanley Cup and having long runs in the playoffs is important,” he said. “There are going to be lots of ups and downs in the playoffs, so the team that can handle those the quickest usually has a little more success.”

The Western Conference may have Colorado as a favorite, but history shows regular-season dominance doesn’t guarantee postseason success. The last team to win both the Presidents’ Trophy and the Cup was Chicago in 2012-13. For the Knights, the path is clear: survive and advance in a wide-open race.