Morning Skate Report: April 13, 2023

The Vegas Golden Knights (50-22-9) face the Seattle Kraken (46-27-8) to finish out their season on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. PT at Climate Pledge Arena.

BROADCAST INFORMATION
TV: ESPN
Radio: FOX Sports Las Vegas 98.9/1340

NOTES
Vegas is 2-1-0 against Seattle on the year.

The Golden Knights will clinch the Pacific Division title if they earn at least one point against Seattle on Thursday night. If the Golden Knights do not earn a point against the Kraken, they will still clinch the division if the Edmonton Oilers lose to the San Jose Sharks in any fashion.
PLAYOFF PICTUREPacific Division:
1. x-Vegas Golden Knights - 50-22-9, 109 points
2. x-Edmonton Oilers - 49-23-9, 107 points
3. x-Los Angeles Kings - 46-25-10, 102 points

Central Division:
1. x-Dallas Stars - 46-21-14, 106 points
2. x-Colorado Avalanche - 49-24-7, 105 points
3. x-Minnesota Wild - 46-25-10, 102 points

Wild Card:
1. x-Seattle Kraken - 46-27-8, 100 points
2. x-Winnipeg Jets - 46-32-3, 95 points

IF THE PLAYOFFS STARTED TODAY
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Winnipeg Jets
Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings
Dallas Stars vs. Seattle Kraken
Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild

LAST TIME OUT
Vegas defeated the Kraken, 4-1, on Tuesday at T-Mobile Arena. Michael Amadio led the way with two goals, while Reilly Smith and Jonathan Marchessault scored one goal each. Yanni Gourde scored the only goal for Seattle. Laurent Brossoit made 20 saves for the Golden Knights.

SEASON SERIES
Vegas holds a 2-1-0 record against the Kraken this season. On Oct. 15, the Golden Knights won, 5-2, at Climate Pledge Arena. Keegan Kolesar, Reilly Smith and Shea Theodore scored a goal apiece for Vegas, while Jonathan Marchessault scored two. Vegas was then defeated by Seattle, 4-2, on Nov. 25 at T-Mobile Arena where Nicolas Roy and Phil Kessel scored the only goals for Vegas. The Golden Knights then won, 4-1, against the Kraken on Tuesday at T-Mobile Arena.

VGK SCORING LEADERS
Jack Eichel - 65 points (27G, 38A)
Chandler Stephenson - 64 points (15G, 49A)
Jonathan Marchessault - 57 points (28G, 29A)
Reilly Smith - 55 points (25G, 30A)
Alex Pietrangelo - 54 points (11G, 43A)
William Karlsson - 53 points (14G, 39A)
Ivan Barbashev - 44 points (16G, 28A)
Shea Theodore - 41 points (8G, 33A)

MILESTONE WATCH
Teddy Blueger - two points away from 100 NHL points
Nicolas Roy - six points away from 100 NHL points
Ivan Barbashev - seven points away from 200 NHL points
Phil Kessel - eight points away from 1,000 NHL points
Reilly Smith - one goal away from 200 NHL goals
Shea Theodore - two assists away from 200 NHL assists

OPPOSITION UPDATE
The Kraken clinched their first postseason berth in franchise history on Thursday with a 4-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes. They were on a five-game win streak, but the Golden Knights snapped it on Tuesday. Entering Thursday's game, they are in fourth place in the Pacific Division with 100 points and a 46-27-8 record. Jared McCann is the team's leading scorer with 70 points (40G, 30A). Vince Dunn is second in points with 64 (14G, 50A) and Jordan Eberle has 63 (20G, 43A).

A VEGAS VICTORY WOULD…
- Mark the 267th win in franchise history
- Give the Golden Knights a 7-1-0 record against the Kraken all-time

KEYS TO THE GAMEDivision title up for grabs: Vegas needs just one point to hold the Pacific Division Title. While they are also relying on Edmonton to lose, it's important the Golden Knights do their job to stay atop the division by earning one point or more.
Offensive production:The Golden Knights saw goals from two different lines on Tuesday against Seattle. It's important to continue that trend since it helped them defeat the Kraken by scoring early goals and dominating throughout the game.