Preseason games might be the most boring thing on the planet. However, there’s one date that Golden Knights fans should have marked on their calendars.

Not many people think about the preseason. This part of the hockey season is a tryout session, where aspiring NHL stars try to crack the opening night roster. It’s not easy fitting into one of the 12 forward slots, two goalie spots, or being one of the six defensemen. It’s something forgotten by fans, for they don’t read into the tryout portion too much.

The Vegas Golden Knights have six preseason games in 2024, with four of those coming at T-Mobile Arena. The only two road games will be on September 22 against the San Jose Sharks and October 1 in Denver against the Colorado Avalanche. That leaves four dates for Golden Knights fans to get a small taste of hockey (unless you like to travel, of course).

But which of these four dates should fans look forward to? Does it happen to be the September 27 contest against the “newly minted” Utah Hockey Club? Or maybe it’s on September 25 against their bitter divisional rival, the Los Angeles Kings? Perhaps it’s on October 3 against the Colorado Avalanche. They all have their version of appeal to them. However, this date is one that fans should circle on their calendars.

Vegas Golden Knights fans should head to T-Mobile Arena on October 5 to see the San Jose Sharks

Yes, this doesn’t seem like much of a date. After all, the San Jose Sharks haven’t been a relevant team for some time. However, October 5 offers fans a chance to potentially see Macklin Celebrini in preseason form at T-Mobile Arena. There are other prospects that fans should watch for, including former Vegas Golden Knights first-round pick, David Edstrom.

Edstrom was dealt to San Jose in the Tomas Hertl trade and was previously picked 32nd overall in the 2023 NHL Draft. Fans could see what the young prospect can do and how the Golden Knights should attack him. This date is also the last game before the 2024-25 regular season kicks off. Thus, it’s a final opportunity for aspiring NHL players to impress their coaches.

There’s also the rivalry factor that comes into play. Sharks fans will bring up their comeback from a 3-1 deficit in the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs. That came against the Golden Knights, who would love to forget about it. But there’s also the Stanley Cup that Vegas has over San Jose, where they can claim bragging rights. Whatever the case, it marks the dawn of hockey’s official return, with fans finally seeing their beloved stars skate in Las Vegas. ‘Tis the season for the return of the NHL!