Midday Fix: April 3

VANCOUVER - The big news on Monday in Vancouver was the Sedin twins, Henrik and Daniel, announced they will retire at the end of this season.
The Vancouver media was still buzzing about the Sedin's decision and wanted to hear from the Golden Knights contingent, players and coaches about the duos impact on hockey.
Golden Knight's winger Reilly Smith skated with his teammates for the first time since suffering an injury 13 games ago.
Smith was in a red non-contact jersey and his return to action remains an unknown.
Head coach Gerard Gallant addressed the media following the skate and confirmed Malcolm Subban would be in goal. Forwards Erik Haula and Jonathan Marchessault will not play tonight. The team has recalled forward Brandon Pirri from the AHL's Chicago Wolves.

Coaches quotes:
On the Sedin's retirement:
Well two first-class guys. Two great hockey players that come to play every night. I was watching somebody last night talk about how tough they are. People don't look at them as tough players, but when you get that many points and play that many games, you're tough. They worked hard and they're great ambassadors for the Vancouver team in the NHL. Great hockey players and great people.
On the Sedin's discipline:
It's tough to get points in the NHL and they get a lot of points every game. They play the cycle game better than any player that I've ever seen. They're competitive guys that play real well. They take punishment and they're very disciplined players.
On the Golden Knights season:
It's been fun, obviously. The season started out great. We had a great first 10 games and I think we just built on that. We were 8-2 in our first 10 and the confidence of our players was real high. We just took it one game at a time. So far it's worked good for us.
On giving guys opportunities and letting them make mistakes:
When I started this season, there was a lot of guys coming that didn't have the opportunities. Before, they were kind of pigeon-holed in the third spot or the fourth spot. With an expansion team, you know you're going to get more ice time. Guys took advantage of the ice time and the extra powerplay time. Perfect example is William Karlsson and some of the other guys. But when they got that ice time, they took advantage of it. They never looked back.
Did you have to convince the players they were good?
No I didn't. Once we put up our line the first game, guys knew where they stood. They did their jobs and played their roles real well. Again, you look at William Karlsson, you look at Marchessault and Reilly Smith. They're a top line and they've played really well together all season long. You go down the list. James Neal knows he's a good hockey player. I don't have to pat James Neal and say 'you're a good hockey player.' Those guys came out and they showed up every night, they competed hard every night. That's why we're proud of them.
How good was it to see Reilly Smith out there on the ice?
It's good. He's getting closer. He's working out and getting closer. It's good to see him back with our group.
What's the biggest thing with Erik Haula's game this season?
His speed is his biggest thing. When he skates like he does, he drives the defenseman back and makes opportunities for his linemates. He's had an excellent season for us. He's the perfect example of another guy who took advantage of his opportunities. He played a lot of powerplay; he's special teams. It's good to see. When he plays a fast game and he shoots the puck, he's a very dangerous player.
Notes:
With a win tonight…
-The Golden Knights would improve to 20-4-3 against teams in the Pacific Division and 33-11-4 against teams in the Western Conference
-The Golden Knights would finish the season sweep of Vancouver, holding a 4-0-0 record against the Canucks
Golden Knights Capture Pacific Division
The Golden Knights earned a Y beside their name in the standings after clinching the Pacific Division with their victory over the San Jose Sharks. Vegas became the first modern-era expansion team from any of the four North American professional sports leagues to start from scratch and finish first in its division (excluding mergers and all-expansion divisions).
X Marks The Spot
The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Colorado Avalanche (March 26) to become the third expansion team since 1968-69 - and first to start from scratch - to clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In 1979-80, the Hartford Whalers and Edmonton Oilers each reached the postseason after joining the NHL from the World Hockey Association. Only four other expansion clubs from any of the four North American professional sports leagues qualified for the playoffs. The four other expansion clubs to reach the playoffs - all from the NBA - are the 1966-67 Chicago Bulls, 1976-77 Denver Nuggets, 1976-77 San Antonio Spurs and 2002-03 New Orleans Hornets.
Striking First
The Vegas Golden Knights own a 33-5-2 record when scoring the first goal of the game and their .825 win percentage when recording the opening mark ranks second in the NHL.
Power-Play Success
Since January 21, the Vegas Golden Knights PP has been operating at a high level. The team leads the league with a power-play percentage of 30.1 and through April 2, Vegas has converted 28 of 93 attempts during that time. On the season they rank eighth in the NHL with a 21.8 power-play percentage.
La Fleur Fleurit
Despite missing 25 games due to injury earlier this season, goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury has put together a stellar season. His 2.14 goals-against average and his .931 save percentage are currently career-bests and they lead the league amongst goaltenders who have played in at least 40 games this season. The Sorel, Quebec native earned his 48th career shutout and and is three victories shy of moving into a tie for 10th on the NHL's all-time wins.
20 Goal Scorers
Forwards William Karlsson (42), Erik Haula (29), Jonathan Marchessault (27), James Neal (25) and Reilly Smith (22) each have scored twenty goals this season. The Golden Knights were the first team in the NHL to boast five different 20 goal scorers this season.
Positive Vibes
Vegas Golden Knights forward William Karlsson (+46) leads the NHL in plus/minus while Jonathan Marchessault (+37) ranks second and Reilly Smith (+32) is third in the league.
William "Wild Bill" Karlsson
Forward William Karlsson scored his first goal of the season in overtime against St. Louis (Oct. 21). Since that time he has scored 42 goals, which is the most in the NHL. Karlsson (42-33-75) ranks tied for third in the NHL in goals. His most recent highlight-reel goal against the San Jose Sharks tied him with Brian Bradley (TBL, 1992-93) for the most goals scored by a player on an expansion team in their inaugural season. The Marsta, Sweden native leads the NHL in +/- with a plus-46 rating and ranks seventh with 76 takeaways.
170x170
Defenseman Brayden McNabb's work on the blue line has been turning heads this season. The Davidson, Saskatchewan native leads the Golden Knights with 219 hits and 170 blocked shots during the 2017-18 season. He is the only player in the NHL to record at least 170 in each category this season. McNabb tallied a career-high 11 hits against the New Jersey Devils (March 4), which is tied for the second most hits in a game this season. He has recorded career-highs in hits (219), blocked shots (170), takeaways (30) and goals (4).
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS VS. VANCOUVER CANUCKS
2017-18 Season Series:3-0-0 (Home: 2-0-0, Road 1-0-0)
Nov. 16, 2017 - VGK 5, VAN 2
Feb. 23, 2018 - VGK 6, VAN 3
March 20, 2018 - VGK 4, VAN 1
April 3, 2018 - @ Vancouver
Going Streaking
-William Karlsson has recorded an assist in four consecutive games.
-William Karlsson has scored a goal in two consecutive games.
Connections to Las Vegas
-The Golden Knights selected Luca Sbisa from the Vancouver Canucks during the Expansion Draft on June 21.
-Vegas General Manager George McPhee worked in Vancouver's front office from 1992-97.
-Vegas assistant coach Mike Kelly was an assistant coach for the Vancouver Canucks from 2006-08.
-Vancouver forward Brendan Leipsic played in 44 games for Vegas this year.
-Vegas Senior Vice President Murray Craven played for the Canucks from 1992-94.
FORMER CANUCK WEARING A GOLDEN KNIGHT SWEATER TONIGHT
-Luca Sbisa (2014-17)
FORMER GOLDEN KNIGHT WEARING A CANUCK SWEATER TONIGHT
-Brendan Leipsic (2017-18)