Morning Skate Report: Dec. 8, 2021
Golden Knights host Stars on Hispanic Heritage Night
NOTES
Fans across the United States can catch the game on TNT at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
Wednesday's game is the second of a four-game homestand for the Golden Knights. Vegas is 1-0-0 so far.
The Golden Knights will wear specialty warmup jerseys for Hispanic Heritage Night that will be signed and available via auction. More details are below.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
TV: TNT
Radio: FOX Sports 98.9/1340 | Deports Vegas 1460
HISPANIC HERITAGE NIGHT
The Vegas Golden Knights will host Hispanic Heritage Night on Wednesday, December 8 at T-Mobile Arena when hosting the Dallas Stars. During warmups, the Golden Knights will celebrate Hispanic Heritage by wearing specialty jerseys that will be signed and available for purchase through an online auction. Locker nameplates will be bundled with the jerseys. Fans can visit Heritage2021.givesmart.com or text "Heritage2021" to 76278. The online auction will begin at 5:45 p.m. PT and conclude at the 10:00 minute mark of the third period.
Warmup pucks will also be for sale after the game begins, with a limited number available inside the arena outside of Section 11. A portion of the proceeds from Hispanic Heritage Night will benefit a scholarship through the Latin Chamber of Commerce. The Arsenal at City National Arena will have a limited supply of shirts, pucks and sweatshirts as part of the initiative.
LAST TIME OUT
The Golden Knights opened their homestand with a 3-2 victory against the Calgary Flames on Sunday night at T-Mobile Arena. Vegas used goals from Max Pacioretty, Nicolas Roy and Evgenii Dadonov to pick up two points against the division-leading Flames. Robin Lehner stood tall with a 23-save performance.
OPPOSITION UPDATE
After starting the season hovering around .500, Dallas has strung together seven consecutive wins to improve to 13-7-2. The Stars and Golden Knights both sit at 28 points heading into Wednesday's action. In their last outing, the Stars knocked off the Arizona Coyotes, 4-1. Dallas ranks fifth the in NHL with a 26.2 power play percentage.
Joe Pavelski is the leading scorer for the Stars with 19 points (7G, 12A) through 22 games while Jason Robertson sits one point behind him at 18 points (7G, 11A). Roope Hintz is the leading goal scorer in Dallas with 11 tallies. Defenseman Miro Heiskanen is the leading defensive scorer for the Stars with 16 points (3G, 13A).
SEASON SERIES
The Golden Knights and Stars are meeting for the second time this season Wednesday as Vegas looks to improve to 2-0-0 against Dallas on the 2021-22 campaign. Vegas topped Dallas, 3-2, in overtime on Oct. 27 to kick off their season series. Shea Theodore got the scoring started for the Golden Knights before Jonathan Marchessault buried the game-tying goal with the goalie pulled to force overtime. Evgenii Dadonov netted the game-winner to give Vegas the win.
VGK SCORING LEADERS
Chandler Stephenson - 22 points (9G, 13A)
Reilly Smith - 19 points (10G, 9A)
Jonathan Marchessault - 15 points (10G, 5A)
Shea Theodore - 15 points (3G, 12A)
Alex Pietrangelo - 14 points (4G, 10A)
Nicolas Roy - 13 points (4G, 9A)
Mark Stone - 12 points (1G, 11A)
Evgenii Dadonov - 12 points (7G, 5A)
A VEGAS VICTORY WOULD…
- Mark the 188th win in franchise history
- Give Vegas a 2-0-0 record against the Stars this year
KEYS TO THE GAME
Be Ready Early:When a team is streaking like the Stars are, the players hit the ice right away knowing they can win. Vegas has experienced plenty of that in its history, so the Golden Knights will know the confident mindset Dallas is in. It's up to the Golden Knights to make the Stars really earn a win if they're going to stay hot.
Tight Game: Dallas is tied for ninth in the league for fewest goals scored this year with 63. Though they don't light up the scoreboard, the Stars have found ways to win so Vegas should expect a tight-checking, low-scoring contest.
