Golden Knights Rookies Brace For First Camp Game Vs. Kings

When the Golden Knights took the ice on Tuesday morning at Toyota Sports Center, it wasn't met with just fanfare.
Just a few team staffers and arena workers scurrying about the LA Kings' suburban practice facility. Although at hand was another one - of many more to come - of the many firsts for the Vegas Golden Knights.
The first morning skate in team history.
"It was good for our guys to shake out the cobwebs," Rocky Thompson said.
Thompson is the head coach of the Golden Knights' top minor league affiliate, the AHL's Chicago Wolves. He will be behind the bench for today's and tomorrow's games against the Kings.
Which although Tuesday's Rookie Camp tilt against the Kings won't have any impact on standings of any kind, it'll be significant as the first time a major league sports franchise represents Las Vegas against another city.
Tuesday's game will be at 5:00 PM. LAKings.com will be providing a live stream, which we will be linking to on VegasGoldenKnights.com.
Here are three takeaways from today's morning skate leading into this afternoon's tilt.

1. Who is playing and what are the lines?
When the Golden Knights skated this morning, the line combinations were as follows.

When we first looked at it, we thought that these combinations had something to do with age.
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Reid Duke and Alex Tuch, for example, are two of the oldest players in camp. Was placing them together meant to put players of a similar experience level together?
Likewise, Tomas Hyka is the oldest, and most experienced, player in camp. He seemed to be a perfect running mate for Cody Glass, the No. 6 overall pick in this June's NHL Draft.
RELATED: What is Rookie Camp?
Thompson explained what went into the line combinations.
"That wasn't really something I had done," Thompsons said. "I think that's something that George (McPhee) and Kelly (McCrimmon) wanted to see. Scott Luce. Guys who have drafted and signed. Wil Nichol. Guys who have invested and seen these players.
"What I think they wanted to do was place them in situations that would be the best and most comfortable to go out there and have success. That's what I think you're seeing with those line combinations."

2. Who plays goal?
The Golden Knights brought Jiri Patera (draft pick), Dylan Ferguson (acquired via trade) and Logan Thompson (free agent invitee) to El Segundo.
Thompson announced this morning that Thompson, a teammate of Reid Duke with the Brandon Wheat Kings, will get the nod as the first starting goalie in Golden Knights history.
RELATED: It's been a long road to the first VGK game
"We're going to be splitting our goaltenders tonight," Rocky Thompson said. "(Logan)Thompson's going to get the start, and (Jiri) Patera will come in about halfway through in relief."
Coach Thompson - not the goaltender Thompson, who is of no relation - didn't indicate the goaltending plan for tomorrow's game against the Kings.
3. How do the players feel about today's game?
Of course, in the larger scheme of things, Tuesday's tilt, from a win-loss standpoint, isn't that important. This is a Rookie Camp game, played mostly by players who will return to juniors this season, that doesn't count in any sort of standings.
That being said, it's the first time any major league sports franchise is representing Las Vegas in a game against another team.
So, it's far from meaningless from this aspect.
Similarly for the players, who - as draft picks, prospects or players looking for a contract - are trying to make an impression on the front office.
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"They don't need to have any pressure on them than they're already putting on themselves. It's about going out, having fun, playing hard, playing as a team and doing what got them here.
"It's about compete, aggressiveness and execution. I think when you do those things, you play your best.
You also show the people who are going to be making the decisions moving forward, why you should stay longer, why you should make the team, why you should play an NHL exhibition game.
"It's a great opportunity."