Entrenched in an ultra-competitive but poor Pacific Division, the Vegas Golden Knights will need to slug it out in order to come out on top.
However, the hockey gods may well be smiling down upon them right now.
Because, just days after Brock Boeser went down for the Vancouver Canucks, it was announced today that the Edmonton Oilers will be without face of the franchise Connor McDavid for 2-3 weeks with a left quad injury.
Although it is only a short period of time, it is a crushing blow for the Oilers who rely on McDavid along with Leon Draisaitl for the majority of their offense.