Morning Skate Report: April 1, 2023
Golden Knights are back in Vegas to host Wild
By
Caylee Allard
VegasGoldenKnights.com
BROADCAST INFORMATION
TV: AT&T SportsNet
Radio: FOX Sports Las Vegas 98.9/1340 | Deportes Vegas 1460
NOTES
The Golden Knights clinched their fifth playoff berth in six seasons on Thursday when the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Nashville Predators in regulation.
PLAYOFF PICTUREPacific Division:
1. Vegas Golden Knights - 46-22-7, 99 points
2. Edmonton Oilers - 44-23-9, 97 points
3. Los Angeles Kings - 43-22-10, 96 points
Central Division:
1. Minnesota Wild - 44-22-9, 97 points
2. Dallas Stars - 41-20-14, 96 points
3. Colorado Avalanche - 44-24-6, 94 points
Wild Card:
1. Seattle Kraken - 41-25-8, 90 points
2. Winnipeg Jets - 42-31-3, 87 points
3. Calgary Flames - 35-26-15, 85 points
IF THE PLAYOFFS STARTED TODAY…
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Winnipeg Jets
Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings
Minnesota Wild vs. Seattle Kraken
Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars
LAST TIME OUT
The Golden Knights suffered a 4-3 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday at SAP Center. In a back-and-forth game, Nicolas Hague, Ivan Barbashev and Michael Amadio found the back of the net for Vegas. Despite Amadio's game-tying goal in the third, the Golden Knights could not hold on for the win, but still secured a big point in the standings.
SEASON SERIES
Vegas is 1-0-0 against the Wild so far this season. Both teams faced off on Feb. 9 when the Golden Knights walked away with a 5-1 victory at Xcel Energy Center. Five different players scored for Vegas: Nicolas Roy, Alex Pietrangelo, Paul Cotter, Reilly Smith and Jack Eichel. Kirill Kaprizov scored the only goal for Minnesota.
VGK SCORING LEADERS
Jack Eichel - 60 points (27G, 33A)
Chandler Stephenson - 57 points (13G, 44A)
Jonathan Marchessault - 54 points (26G, 28A)
Reilly Smith - 51 points (24G, 27A)
William Karlsson - 49 points (14G, 35A)
Alex Pietrangelo - 49 points (9G, 40A)
Shea Theodore - 41 points (8G, 33A)
Ivan Barbashev - 41 points (15G, 26A)
MILESTONE WATCH
Shea Theodore - four games away from 400 games as a Golden Knight
Chandler Stephenson - four games away from 250 games as a Golden Knight
Jack Eichel - four games away from 100 games as a Golden Knight
Brett Howden - five games away from 100 games as a Golden Knight
Teddy Blueger - three points away from 100 NHL points
Reilly Smith - three goals away from 200 NHL goals
Shea Theodore - two assists away from 200 NHL assists
PACIFIC DIVISION PICTURE
Vegas Golden Knights - 46-22-7, 99 points
Edmonton Oilers - 44-23-9, 97 points
Los Angeles Kings - 43-22-10, 96 points
Seattle Kraken - 41-25-8, 90 points
Calgary Flames - 35-26-15, 85 points
Vancouver Canucks - 34-34-7, 75 points
San Jose Sharks - 21-39-15, 57 points
Anaheim Ducks - 23-42-10, 56 points
OPPOSITION UPDATE
Entering Saturday's game, Minnesota is the top team in the Central Division with 97 points and a 44-22-9 record. They are 7-1-2 in their last 10 games and coming off a 4-2 win against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night. Kirill Kaprizov leads the team with 74 points (39G, 35A). Second in points is Mats Zuccarello with 65 (22G, 43A) with Joel Eriksson Ek behind him with 59 (23G, 36A).
A VEGAS VICTORY WOULD…
- Mark the 263rd win in franchise history
- Give the Golden Knights a 9-11-1 record against Minnesota all-time
KEYS TO THE GAME
Early offense:The Wild give up very few goals per game and are ranked 3rd in the league for goals against (2.61). Vegas should look to get on the board as soon as possible to build a lead.
Don't be complacent: Even though the Golden Knights officially clinched a playoff spot, the Pacific Division is still up for grabs. It's a tight race between Vegas, Edmonton and Los Angeles to secure the top spot. Every point is crucial and brings the team one step closer to the division title.
