5 Golden Knights wins that forged their reputation as NHL elite

Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) makes a save against Penguins center Dominik Simon (49) during the third period of Vegas' home matchup with Pittsburgh on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017, at T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas. The Golden Knights defeated the Penguins 2-1. Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore, left, skates around Tampa Bay Lightning right wing J.T. Brown during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Tampa Bay goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) makes a save against Golden Knights center Oscar Lindberg (24) in the second period during the Lightning's road matchup with Vegas on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, at T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas. The Golden Knights beat the Lighting 4-3. Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto

Dec 2, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Ryan Callahan (24) defends San Jose Sharks center Ryan Carpenter (40) during the first period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Golden Knights defenseman Jon Merrill (15) celebrates with teammates James Neal (18) and Colin Miller (6) after scoring the game winning goal in the third period during Vegas' home matchup with the Penguins on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017, at T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas. The Golden Knights defeated the Penguins 2-1. Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto

Vegas Golden Knights goalie Marc-Andre Fleury blocks a shot by Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Patric Hornqvist during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) fights for position with Penguins right wing Patric Hornqvist (72) during the second period of Vegas' home matchup with Pittsburgh on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017, at T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas. The Golden Knights defeated the Penguins 2-1. Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto

Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) comes out of the box to makes a save against Pittsburgh's Conor Sheary (43) on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017, at T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas. The Golden Knights defeated the Penguins 2-1. Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto

Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) makes a save against Penguins right wing Phil Kessel (81) during the third period of Vegas' home matchup with Pittsburgh on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017, at T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas. The Golden Knights defeated the Penguins 2-1. Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto

Vegas Golden Knights left wing Erik Haula, center, of Finland, celebrates with Alex Tuch (89) and Shea Theodore (27) after scoring the tying goal against the Nashville Predators in the final minute of the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Golden Knights won 4-3 in a shootout. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Vegas Golden Knights goalie Malcolm Subban makes a stop against the Nashville Predators during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35), of Finland, blocks a shot by the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Dec 8, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Vegas Golden Knights goalie Malcolm Subban (30) makes a save on a shot by Nashville Predators center Calle Jarnkrok (19) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Vegas Golden Knights left wing Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (41) and Los Angeles Kings center Nic Dowd (26) face off during the second period of an NHL hockey game at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Nate Schmidt (88) controls the puck against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period of an NHL hockey game at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph

Vegas Golden Knights center William Karlsson, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Los Angeles Kings during the first period of an NHL hockey game at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph

A goal from Vegas Golden Knights center William Karlsson gets past Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) during the first period of an NHL hockey game at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph

Golden Knights' Jonathan Marchessault, third from left, celebrates his goal against the Chicago Blackhawks with teammates during an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Vegas Golden Knights' William Carrier, left, and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare celebrate after Bellemare scored against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

An official stops a fight between Golden Knights' Brayden McNabb (3) and Chicago Blackhawks' Ryan Hartman (38) during an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Golden Knights' goalie Oscar Dansk (35) blocks a shot from the Chicago Blackhawks during an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

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By David Schoen Las Vegas Review-Journal

December 26, 2017 - 12:12 pm

Updated December 26, 2017 - 12:25 pm

The Golden Knights sit atop the Western Conference based on points percentage and are 23-9-2 in their inaugural season.

Here are the five games that solidified the Knights’ place among the NHL’s best teams:

1. Dec. 19 vs. Tampa Bay (4-3 win) — Propelled by a raucous crowd at T-Mobile Arena, the Knights went stride for stride with the top team in the NHL. Shea Theodore’s one-timer with 2.3 seconds remaining gave the Knights the victory, and afterward, Lightning forward Steven Stamkos said, “It was the best atmosphere I’ve played in in a regular-season game in a long time.”

2. Dec. 14 vs. Pittsburgh (2-1 win) — In his second game back after missing two months with a concussion, goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 24 of 25 shots against his former team. Seldom-used defenseman Jon Merrill blasted in the winning goal 8:17 into the third period to give the Knights an emotional victory over the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions.

3. Dec. 8 at Nashville (4-3 shootout win) — The Knights showed they can win in a difficult road environment against the favorite in the Western Conference. After Nashville took the lead with a little more than five minutes remaining, Erik Haula scored with 39.9 seconds left to send the game to overtime. Malcolm Subban stopped all six Nashville attempts in the shootout, before Reilly Smith converted to give the Knights two points.

4. Nov. 19 vs. Los Angeles (4-2 win) — A rivalry was born, as a season-high 18,211 at T-Mobile Arena saw the Knights chase Los Angeles goaltender Jonathan Quick with three goals— two by William Karlsson — in the opening 11:22. The Kings made a late push before Alex Tuch’s empty-net goal with 1:02 remaining brought the Knights within one point of Los Angeles atop the Pacific Division standings.

5. Oct. 24 vs. Chicago (4-2 win) — The Knights’ record start was supposed to come to a screeching halt against one of the early favorites for the Stanley Cup. But Oscar Dansk made 29 saves in his first NHL start with Fleury and Subban sidelined due to injury, and the Knights overcame an early 1-0 deficit with four straight goals. Tomas Nosek finished with a goal and an assist to help the Knights improve to 7-1.

Contact David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow @DavidSchoenLVRJ on Twitter.