Morning Skate Report: August 23, 2020

The Vegas Golden Knights get set for the next step in their journey as they face the Vancouver Canucks in the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs Second Round. The series begins with Game 1 at 7:30 p.m. PT Sunday at Rogers Place in Edmonton.

NOTES
Sunday's game is the first of a best-of-seven series between the Golden Knights and Canucks.

Vegas and Vancouver have never met in the postseason since the Golden Knights joined the NHL in 2017-18.

This is the second time the Golden Knights have reached the second round in their three seasons in the league. Vancouver's last trip to the second round came in 2011 en route to an appearance in the Stanley Cup Final.

BROADCAST INFORMATION
TV: NBCSN
Radio: FOX Sports 98.9/1340 | Deportes Vegas 1460
#FortressAtHome: Facebook, YouTube and Twitch

LAST TIME OUT
In their final game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round against the Chicago Blackhawks, the Golden Knights skated to a narrow 4-3 victory in Game 5 to advance to the second round. Vegas trailed, 2-0, in the first period before Max Pacioretty buried his first goal of the playoffs to get his team's offense in motion. Mark Stone scored early in the second period to tie the game, but the Blackhawks regained the lead shortly thereafter. Alec Martinez potted the team's first power-play goal of the series midway through the frame to set up a 3-3 tie through two periods. Alex Tuch's goal early in the third stood as the game-winning goal as the Golden Knights collected the 4-3 win and series victory.

SEASON SERIES
The Canucks and the Golden Knights met twice within a span of five days during the regular season, with a third game originally scheduled for March 23 in Vancouver. In the first matchup on Dec. 15 in Las Vegas, the Golden Knights scored six goals to extinguish the Canucks, 6-3. In the rematch on Dec. 19, Vancouver earned a 5-4 win in overtime at Rogers Arena. A total of 18 goals were scored in the two meetings.

AROUND THE NHL
Results prior to Saturday morning's action.

SEASON SERIES
The Canucks and the Golden Knights met twice within a span of five days during the regular season, with a third game originally scheduled for March 23 in Vancouver. In the first matchup on Dec. 15 in Las Vegas, the Golden Knights scored six goals to extinguish the Canucks, 6-3. In the rematch on Dec. 19, Vancouver earned a 5-4 win in overtime at Rogers Arena. A total of 18 goals were scored in the two meetings.

HEAD-TO-HEAD STATS
Max Pacioretty led Vegas during the 2019-20 season series against Vancouver with five points (2G, 3A). Pacioretty collected four of his five points during the first meeting on Dec. 15 at T-Mobile Arena. The Canucks were led by forward Brock Boeser who had four points (1G, 3A), including an assist on Chris Tanev's game-winning goal in overtime on Dec. 19.

ABOUT THE OPPONENT
The Canucks finished the regular season in fourth place in the Pacific Division and seventh overall in the conference. J.T. Miller led Vancouver in scoring with 72 points (27 G, 45 A) after appearing in each of the team's 69 games during the regular season. Calder Trophy candidate Quinn Hughes contributed with 53 points (8 G, 45 A) in 68 games. His 45 assists set a franchise record for the most by a rookie defenseman, while 19 points since the All-Star break were the most among all defenseman in the NHL. Goaltender Jacob Markstrom posted a .918 save percentage and a 2.75 GAA after making 43 starts in his seventh season with Vancouver.

PLAYOFF REWIND
The Golden Knights ousted the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round in five games and, despite the brevity of the series, it was close from start to finish. Three of Vegas' four wins were decided by just one goal. Since the postseason began with the Golden Knights' first round robin contest, Mark Stone (4G, 4A) and Reilly Smith (3G, 5A) have paced the team with eight points each. Shea Theodore leads all NHL defensemen with four goals in the playoffs while his seven points rank second among Golden Knights skaters. Alex Tuch, who scored the series-winning goal against the Blackhawks, also has four goals in the postseason.

After defeating the Minnesota Wild in four games in the Qualifying Round of the playoffs, the Canucks took down the defending Stanley Cup Champion St. Louis Blues in six games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round. Elias Pettersson is Vancouver's top scorer with 13 points (4G, 9A) in 10 postseason games. Miller (5G, 5A) and Hughes (1G, 9A) each have 10 points while captain Bo Horvat is tied for the league lead with six goals.

AROUND THE NHL
2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round series results:

Vegas Golden Knights defeated Chicago Blackhawks (5 games)
Colorado Avalanche defeated Arizona Coyotes (5 games)
Dallas Stars defeated Calgary Flames (6 games)
Vancouver Canucks defeated St. Louis Blues (6 games)

Philadelphia Flyers defeated Montreal Canadiens (6 games)
Tampa Bay Lightning defeated Columbus Blue Jackets (5 games)
New York Islanders defeated Washington Capitals (5 games)
Boston Bruins defeated Carolina Hurricanes (5 games)

VALLEY HEALTH SYSTEM SCRATCHES
Stay tuned for Golden Knights lineup updates leading up to puck drop.

KEYS TO THE GAME
Slow Vancouver Down: The Canucks used speed and skill to overcome the defending Stanley Cup Champions in the first round. It will be vital for Vegas to take away Vancouver's open space and force their skilled players to the perimeter.

Battle Between the Pipes: Vegas turned to Robin Lehner for three of its four wins in the opening round while Marc-Andre Fleury picked up a win in his only start of the series. Markstrom has been the guy for Vancouver as he's started each game for the Canucks since Game 1 of their qualifying round series against Minnesota.