NOTES
The Golden Knights are playing the second game of a four-game trip Thursday night in New Jersey. Vegas started the trip with a 4-1 win against the Boston Bruins and will visit the New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers and New York Islanders this week.
Vegas is playing its first game in New Jersey since Dec. 13, 2019.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
TV: AT&T SportsNet
Radio: FOX Sports 98.9/1340
LAST TIME OUT
The Golden Knights began the four-game trip with a 4-1 victory against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night at TD Garden. Max Pacioretty extended his point streak to nine games as he potted two goals in the win. Chandler Stephenson notched three assists to become the first player in franchise history to record three-or-more assists in consecutive games. Shea Theodore and Jonathan Marchessault also scored for Vegas as the team earned its first win in Boston since joining the league in 2017.
OPPOSITION UPDATE
New Jersey enters Thursday's game in seventh in the Metropolitan Division with 25 points and a 10-12-5 record. The Devils are on a three-game losing streak during which the team has been outscored by a 13-5 margin. In their last game, the Devils saw their lineup limited due to health issues related to COVID-19 and non-COVID illness as they lost to the Philadelphia Flyers, 6-1.
Jesper Bratt is the top scorer on the Devils this season with 24 points (8G, 16A) in 27 games. Andreas Johnsson and Pavel Zacha are tied for the team lead in goals with nine tucks each. Jack Hughes has posted seven points (4G, 3A) in just 10 games this season.
WHEN LAST WE MET
Vegas and New Jersey have not squared off since March 3, 2020, when Robin Lehner posted a shutout for a 3-0 win for the Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena. The last time the Golden Knights hit the ice at Prudential Center, the team picked up a 4-3 win against the Devils on the back of Jonathan Marchessault's third-period hat trick. He scored all three of his goals in the span of 8:35.
VGK SCORING LEADERS
Chandler Stephenson - 29 points (9G, 20A)
Reilly Smith - 21 points (10G, 11A)
Mark Stone - 21 points (4G, 17A)
Alex Pietrangelo - 20 points (5G, 15A)
Max Pacioretty - 19 points (12G, 7A)
Jonathan Marchessault - 18 points (12G, 6A)
Shea Theodore - 18 points (4G, 14A)
A VEGAS VICTORY WOULD…
- Mark the 191st win in franchise history
- Bring the Golden Knights to 2-0-0 on this trip
KEYS TO THE GAME
Strong First Period:The Golden Knights used a three-goal first period to cruise to victory against Boston on Tuesday. If Vegas can come out of the opening frame with the lead, it can focus on defense the rest of the way to seal a win.
Busy Week:Thursday's game is the first of a back-to-back for the Golden Knights as they face the Devils and New York Rangers on consecutive nights. The best way to head into the back half of a back-to-back is with a win in the first game.
