Defensively, Vegas has been among the league leaders in shot suppression, a core strength of the team.

Mitch Marner has moved from the wing to center to bolster depth alongside stars such as Eichel, Hertl, and Dowd.

Tortorella’s arrival produced a 5-0-1 run, helping Vegas reclaim first in the Pacific and finish strong.

Vegas clinched a playoff spot with an overtime win over Colorado, marking their eighth postseason berth in nine years.

Beyond the playoffs, teams like Detroit, New Jersey, Florida, Toronto, and New York clubs remain eliminated or on the bubble, signaling a shifting playoff picture.

Karlsson’s return this season could hinge on forward and goaltending decisions, particularly if Vegas makes a deep run.

Overall, the outlook remains optimistic for Vegas’ postseason chances, tempered by goaltending questions and Karlsson’s availability.

The projected brackets have Ottawa facing Buffalo in the East and Los Angeles against Colorado in the West, with Montreal meeting Tampa Bay and Philadelphia drawing Pittsburgh in the East, and Minnesota vs Dallas with Utah at Vegas in the West.

A late-season turning point came when Vegas fired coach Bruce Cassidy and hired John Tortorella, triggering a surge.

In the East, the Buffalo Sabres, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Montreal Canadiens clinched the top three seeds in the Atlantic, while the Hurricanes, Penguins, and Flyers lead the Metropolitan; Ottawa and Boston earned wild cards.

In the West, the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, and Minnesota Wild secured the Central seeds, with the Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, and Anaheim Ducks holding the top three in the Pacific; Utah and Los Angeles earned wild-card spots.

Vegas faces goaltending questions as Adin Hill deals with injuries and inconsistency, opening the door for options like Akira Schmid or Carter Hart if Vegas makes a deep playoff run.