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Golden Knights Crystal Ball: 10 predictions for the 2018-2019 season

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From left, Karlsson, Smith, McNabb and Miller.

1. First goal: Jonathan Marchessault (October 4 vs. Philadelphia) Marchessault never hesitates to take a shot, so he's more likely than anyone to find the back of the net first in the season opener at T-Mobile Arena.

2. First assist: Reilly Smith (October 4 vs. Philadelphia) Smith was one of the best distributors on the team last year with 38 assists, so he's the best bet to dish the puck to Marchessault.

3. Record: 50-26-6 (106 points) This team is going to be really good again, and its record will be similar to last season.

4. Goals leader: Jonathan Marchessault (39) Marchessault took a team-high 268 shots on goal last year—66 more than anyone else on the team. With defenses shifting toward William Karlsson, Marchessault should score even more this season.

5. Assists leader: William Karlsson (46) Karlsson lit the NHL up with his goal scoring last year, but his elite passing ability gets overlooked. He might be on the other end of many of his line's one-timer goals this year.

6. Points leader: William Karlsson (81) Karlsson’s goal total might dip slightly from 43, but he’ll once again be involved in a lot of offense.

7. Blocked shots leader: Brayden McNabb (156) McNabb led the team in blocks last year with 176, and he's currently slotted to play a lot of minutes as a first-pairing defender.

8. Penalty minutes leader: Colin Miller (65) Miller’s game on the defensive end took massive strides last season. He’s still extremely aggressive and offensive-minded, however, so expect him to take a penalty here or there after being caught out of position.

9. Power play goals leader: Max Pacioretty (14) Pacioretty brings one of the best wrist shots in all of hockey to Vegas, which translates to a lot of power play goals. Get him the puck in open space and watch him snipe.

10. Golden Knights All-Stars: William Karlsson & Marc-André Fleury Fleury was an All-Star last season, and should make it for a fourth time this year. After a breakout season last year, Karlsson appears likely to get his first All-Star nod.

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