Morning Skate Report: March 19, 2023
Golden Knights try to get back on track against Blue Jackets
By
Caylee Allard
VegasGoldenKnights.com
BROADCAST INFORMATION
TV: AT&T SportsNet
Radio: FOX Sports Las Vegas 98.9/1340 | Deportes Vegas 1460
*
TRAFFIC UPDATE*
The Nevada Department of Transportation's I-15 Tropicana Project will have a major impact on many fans' travel to games at T-Mobile Arena. Road, ramp and lane closures will change throughout the two-and-a-half year project. The Vegas Golden Knights encourage fans to arrive early and stay late for games, but with some closures fans' typical routes to the arena will not be available. Please visit
vgk.io/i15Trop
for more information. Fans can also use traffic mobile apps like Waze which will be updated with road and ramp closures.
PLAYOFF PICTUREPacific Division:
1. Vegas Golden Knights - 42-21-6, 90 points
2. Los Angeles Kings - 40-20-10, 90 points
3. Edmonton Oilers - 39-23-8, 86 points
Central Division:
1. Dallas Stars - 38-19-13, 89 points
2. Colorado Avalanche - 40-22-6, 86 points
3. Minnesota Wild - 39-22-8, 86 points
Wild Card:
1. Seattle Kraken - 38-24-7, 83 points
2. Winnipeg Jets - 39-28-3, 81 points
3. Calgary Flames - 31-24-15, 77 points
IF THE PLAYOFFS STARTED TODAY…
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Winnipeg Jets
Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers
Dallas Stars vs. Seattle Kraken
Minnesota Wild vs. Colorado Avalanche
LAST TIME OUT
The Golden Knights were defeated by the Calgary Flames, 7-2, on Thursday at T-Mobile Arena. After going down 2-0, Zach Whitecloud and Reilly Smith tied the game 2-2 for Vegas. The Flames then scored five unanswered goals to secure the win.
SEASON SERIES
Vegas is 1-0-0 against Columbus so far this season. Last time the clubs met was on Nov. 28 in Columbus where Vegas won 3-2 in a shootout. William Karlsson and William Carrier scored in regulation for the Golden Knights, with Paul Cotter potting the shootout winner.
VGK SCORING LEADERS
Chandler Stephenson - 53 points (13G, 40A)
Jack Eichel - 51 points (23G, 28A)
Reilly Smith - 49 points (23G, 26A)
Jonathan Marchessault - 48 points (22G, 26A)
William Karlsson - 45 points (13G, 32A)
Alex Pietrangelo - 41 points (9G, 32A)
Mark Stone - 38 points (17G, 21A)
Shea Theodore - 37 points (8G, 29A)
Ivan Barbashev - 37 points (14G, 23A)
MILESTONE WATCH
Jonathan Quick - two shutouts away from 60 career shutouts
Teddy Blueger - four points away from 100 NHL points
Reilly Smith - three goals away from 200 NHL goals
Shea Theodore - six assists away from 200 NHL assists
PACIFIC DIVISION PICTURE
Vegas Golden Knights - 42-21-6, 90 points
Los Angeles Kings - 40-20-10, 90 points
Edmonton Oilers - 39-23-8, 86 points
Seattle Kraken - 38-24-7, 83 points
Calgary Flames - 31-24-15, 77 points
Vancouver Canucks - 30-33-5, 65 points
Anaheim Ducks - 23-36-10, 56 points
San Jose Sharks - 19-37-14, 52 points
OPPOSITION UPDATE
The Blue Jackets were eliminated from playoff contention after losing 7-4 to the Anaheim Ducks on Friday. They are in last place in the Metropolitan Division with a 21-40-7 record and 49 points. Johnny Gaudreau is the team's points leader with 63 (17G, 46A). Patrik Laine is second on the team with 48 (22G, 26A) and Boone Jenner is third with 40 points (23G, 17A).
A VEGAS VICTORY WOULD…
- Mark the 259th win in franchise history
- Give the Golden Knights a 5-5-0 record against Columbus all time
KEYS TO THE GAME
Offense: Columbus gives up 3.81 goals on average per game, which makes them 31st in the league for goals against. The Golden Knights must produce more offensively, especially against a team that gives up a lot and is already eliminated from the postseason.
Race to the finish: The Golden Knights must keep securing points in order to win the division. With the Kings now tied for first and Vegas gearing up to face three division rivals on its upcoming road trip, every point matters at this time in the season.
