House Edge: VGK Fortress Voted NHL’s Toughest Away Venue
T-Mobile Arena is often given high praise from fans and players alike for its atmosphere. A new poll has found players believe playing the Vegas Golden Knights at The Fortress is the NHL’s toughest away venue. The vote wasn’t even close.
Playing VGK At Home Makes Players Queasy
The National Hockey League Players Association votes on many things every year, and this is one of those categories that Las Vegas seems to perform very well in. T-Mobile Arena was voted the NHL’s toughest away venue at 31.36%. To put that in some perspective, that nearly doubles the second place team.
PNC Arena, home of the Carolina Hurricanes placed 2nd at 16.31%. The Boston Bruins home ice, TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, ranked 3rd at 15.59%.
Safe to say Las Vegas lives up to its lively name as @tmobilearena, home of the defending #StanleyCup champion @goldenknights, was voted as the toughest arena to play in as a visiting team. #NHLPAPlayerPoll pic.twitter.com/XP03yJfgSD
— NHLPA (@NHLPA) April 10, 2024
The 2017-18 Vegas Golden Knights season was a new one for the National Hockey League. Many teams coming to Las Vegas for their first taste of “The Fortress” were struck with a case of the “Vegas Flu”. VGK went on to have one of the best home records that year.
What Makes T-Mobile Arena The NHL’s Toughest Away Venue?
There are several different factors that play into this answer, but having heard interviews with players over the years, the answer is more than “there are casinos next door” or “they are hungover”. It has to do with the environment crafted inside.
The lights. The booming sound system. A sword-wielding Knight allowed on the ice, slaying their competition (typically the NHL didn’t permit “mascots” on the ice. Vegas changed the game.)
The Golden Knights organization have crafted a nearly flawless way to whip the fans into a fever pitch, creating a loud and raucous environment that many teams are awe-struck by. The results are clear.
How Do The Golden Knights Do At Home?
We know that the away teams are messing themselves entering the Fortress, but what about the Knights? Do they perform well at home? The answer is yes.
- 2017-18: 29-10-2 at home, 22-14-5 away
- 2018-19: 24-12-5 at home, 19-20-2 away
- 2019-20: 22-11-4 at home, 17-13-4 away
- 2020-21: 21-5-2 at home, 19-9-0 away
- 2021-22: 22-15-4 at home, 21-16-4 away
- 2022-23: 25-15-1 at home, 26-7-8 away
With only the exception of last season, VGK has fared far better at home than on the road (where they are no slouch either). The house may not always win, but in a city that plays the odds, the Golden Knights winning at home is a good bet.