The Vegas Golden Knights beat the Los Angeles Kings 4:2 in their National Hockey League opener on 20 September 2026. Both sides enter the campaign with zero points, so this result sets the early tone rather than shifting any standings. The visitors took the points on the road, and that is all the data tells us.
The Kings had lost their last five games, four of them to the Colorado Avalanche and one to the Calgary Flames. The Golden Knights fared marginally better, dropping four of five against Carolina but picking up a 5:4 win on 7 June. Both teams were coming off disappointing runs, though the visitors showed they could close out tight games.
We had tipped the away side to win, giving Vegas 45 per cent confidence in the forecast. The prediction came through, though not with any sense of dominance — the Kings kept things competitive and pushed the visitors through the full sixty minutes. The margin of two goals reflects a match decided by fine margins rather than one side running away.
By then it was clear the Golden Knights had the sharper edge in finishing, while the hosts struggled to find rhythm after their heavy defeats to Colorado. The visitors extended their confidence from that Carolina victory, even if the underlying form across both squads remained uncertain. The scoreline tells the story without needing further embellishment.
The result leaves both teams at zero points on the board, so the standings remain blank. What matters is that Vegas started on the right foot while the Kings must now regroup after their five-game losing streak. The new season is underway, and both sides will need more than this opening night to build momentum.
