Morning Skate Report: Dec. 7, 2022
Golden Knights back on home ice to take on Rangers
BROADCAST INFORMATION
TV: TNT
Radio: FOX Sports Las Vegas 98.9/1340 | Deportes Vegas 1460
HISPANIC HERITAGE KNIGHT
The Golden Knights will be wearing specialty jerseys during warmups as they prepare to face the New York Rangers for a 7 p.m. PT puck drop at T-Mobile Arena. Prior to puck drop on Toshiba Plaza, fans can enjoy a musical performance by the Claudine Castro Band from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. PT. Face painting will also be available before the game on Toshiba Plaza in celebration of the event.
The colors incorporated on the specialty jersey for Hispanic Heritage Knight are inspired by several different flags of Hispanic countries. The marigold orange base of the jersey is inspired by the significance of the marigold flower in Hispanic cultures. The crest of the sweater is a sun that represents the flags of Argentina and Uruguay, and at the center of the sun is a pattern inspired by a traditional Colombian hat. Stephanie Suominen, who is of Colombian descent and a Jr. Graphic Designer for the Golden Knights, led the creation process for the jersey for Hispanic Heritage Knight.
Following warmups, fans will have the opportunity to place bids on the player-worn and signed specialty sweaters. The jerseys will be available for auction online beginning at 5:45 p.m. PT and will conclude at 9 p.m. PT. Locker nameplates will be bundled with the jerseys. Fans can bid by visiting
Hispanic2022.givesmart.com
or texting "Hispanic2022" to 76278. Warm-up pucks will be for sale after the game begins, with a limited number available inside T-Mobile Arena outside of Sections 11 and 12. A portion of the proceeds will benefit a scholarship through the Latin Chamber of Commerce, a local organization dedicated to promoting the success of small businesses by facilitating positive business, cultural, and educational relationships.
The team's specialty design will be incorporated into all of the graphic elements on Wednesday night, both inside the arena and on social media. The Golden Knights will also feature additional collaboration across social channels on their English- and Spanish-based feeds, which include @LosVGK on Twitter and @LosGoldenKnights on Instagram. Special gear for Hispanic Heritage Knight is available now at The Arsenal at City National Arena.
NOTES
Wednesday's game is the first meeting of the 2022-2023 season between the Golden Knights and Rangers.
This Golden Knights went 3-1 on their four-game road trip through Columbus, Pittsburgh, Detroit and Boston.
The Golden Knights hold a 6-2-0 all-time record against New York.
LAST TIME OUT
Vegas took down Boston 4-3 in the shootout on Monday night at TD Garden. Paul Cotter opened the scoring less than two minutes into the first. A few minutes later, Jonathan Marchessault gave the team a 2-0 lead. In the second period, Cotter scored his second of the game making it 3-0. Boston responded back, scoring three unanswered goals, eventually sending it to overtime. The game went scoreless until the shootout, when Reilly Smith scored the lone goal to give the Golden Knights two points. Logan Thompson stood tall with 40 saves and another five in the shootout.
VGK SCORING LEADERS
Jack Eichel - 29 points (13G, 16A)
Mark Stone - 21 points (9G, 12A)
Chandler Stephenson - 21 points (6G, 15A)
Shea Theodore - 21 points (4G, 17A)
Alex Pietrangelo - 21 points (3G, 18A)
Jonathan Marchessault - 20 points (10G, 10A)
Reilly Smith - 18 points (12G, 6A)
William Karlsson - 18 points (6G, 12A)
MILESTONE WATCH
Mark Stone - three points away from 500 points
William Karlsson - ten assists away from 100 assists
PACIFIC DIVISION PICTURE
Vegas Golden Knights - 19-7-1, 39 points
Seattle Kraken - 15-7-3, 33 points
Los Angeles Kings - 14-10-4, 32 points
Edmonton Oilers - 14-12-0, 28 points
Calgary Flames - 12-10-3, 27 points
Vancouver Canucks - 11-12-3, 25 points
San Jose Sharks - 8-16-4, 20 points
Anaheim Ducks - 7-17-3, 17 points
OPPOSITION UPDATE
Entering Wednesday's game, the Rangers have 29 points for fifth place in the Metropolitan Division. They have experienced a streaky season so far, losing four of their last six matchups. They won their last game against the St. Louis Blues by a score of 6-4 on Monday evening. The club's points leader is Artemi Panarin with 30 (6G, 24A). Mika Zibanejad is second with 29 points (13G, 16A) with Adam Fox behind him with 28 (7G, 21A). The Rangers made the 2021-2022 playoffs with 110 points and a 52-24-6 record. The team eliminated the Pittsburgh Penguins and Carolina Hurricanes but fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference Final in six games.
A VEGAS VICTORY WOULD…
- Mark the 236th win in franchise history
- Give Vegas its seventh win all time against New York
KEYS TO THE GAME
Home improvement: Vegas has been better on the road than at home this season. They should take advantage of a hot and cold team coming into town to try to improve their record on home ice.
Offensive edge: The Rangers, on average, score less goals per game than the Golden Knights, so the focus should be shots on net and scoring early.
