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.

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%.

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.

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.

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.

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.

On Saturday, a sea of people twinkling gold, silver and black overtook the Las Vegas Strip in celebration of the Golden Knights' Stanley Cup Parade.

Over 100,000 people squished in the narrow streets of Las Vegas Boulevard with Toshiba Plaza reaching capacity before the parade even started.

It was a true celebration done with Las Vegas fanfare with some of the players getting noticeably inebriated during the parade.

We even got a treat from William Karlsson, who delivered one of the best drunk speeches of all time. It made no sense, yet the message was clear: They did it for the city, and they brought home the team's first-ever Stanley Cup.

Someone involved with the team tried to snatch the microphone from him a few times amid the post-parade rally, but they were unsuccessful. Finally, someone was able to quell his slurred speech of fiery happiness by confiscating the microphone.

During the parade, the busses of players, coaches, and family members crept past the eager crowd. People and players who were in the parade could be seen pouring shaken beers across the cacophony of people, allowing the gold liquid to explode among the crowd.

The Las Vegas Strip became packed to the brim with people, many of who were wearing their shiniest and brightest VGK gear. The buzzing chant of "GO KNIGHTS GO," could be heard throughout the parade route.

After the parade, the party continued in Toshiba Plaza. It was equally as chaotic and celebratory with the entire team displayed among the fortress stage.

Music blared, people cheered and the energy was colorful with celebration. People from Las Vegas and across the country were enjoying the few hours of the Vegas Golden Knights Parade and essentially party. The Strip was shut down and within those few hours, the city felt connected and together.

Bruce Cassidy spoke humble words saying that it was an honor to coach the team. Mark Stone's speech was filled with the emotional ups and downs that came with this win. Other players drunkenly gushed about how good winning the Cup felt while also thanking the fans.

As the streamers, confetti and lights flashed across Toshiba Plaza, this scene was an emblem of the true meaning behind this win: From the ashes of darkness, light and greatness will rise.

GO. KNIGHTS. GO.