Morning Skate Report: March 28, 2023

The Vegas Golden Knights (46-21-6) will face the Edmonton Oilers (42-23-9) for the second time in a row, this time at home, on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena.

BROADCAST INFORMATION
TV: ESPN+/Hulu
Radio: FOX Sports Las Vegas 98.9/1340 | Deportes Vegas 1460
NOTES
The Golden Knights can clinch a berth in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs in any of the scenarios outlined
here
.

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 - 46-21-6, 98 points
2. Los Angeles Kings - 43-20-10, 96 points
3. Edmonton Oilers - 42-23-9, 93 points

Central Division:
1. Minnesota Wild - 43-22-9, 95 points
2. Colorado Avalanche - 44-23-6, 94 points
3. Dallas Stars - 39-20-14, 92 points

Wild Card:
1. Seattle Kraken - 40-25-8, 88 points
2. Winnipeg Jets - 41-30-3, 85 points
3. Calgary Flames - 33-26-15, 81 points

IF THE PLAYOFFS STARTED TODAY…
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Winnipeg Jets
Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers
Minnesota Wild vs. Seattle Kraken
Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars

LAST TIME OUT
The Golden Knights took down the Edmonton Oilers, 4-3, in overtime on Saturday night at Rogers Place. Jack Eichel, Pavel Dorofeyev and Jonathan Marchessault all scored in regulation for Vegas. Nicolas Roy secured the overtime winner, his second game-winning goal in a row.

SEASON SERIES
Vegas is 1-2-0 against Edmonton so far this season. The Golden Knights lost 4-3 on both Nov. 19 and Jan. 14, but won 4-3 in the most recent meeting on Saturday.

VGK SCORING LEADERS
Jack Eichel - 58 points (27G, 31A)
Chandler Stephenson - 55 points (13G, 42A)
Jonathan Marchessault - 52 points (24G, 28A)
Reilly Smith - 51 points (24G, 27A)
William Karlsson - 48 points (13G, 35A)
Alex Pietrangelo - 47 points (9G, 38A)
Shea Theodore - 41 points (8G, 33A)
Ivan Barbashev - 39 points (14G, 25A)

MILESTONE WATCH
Jonathan Quick - two shutouts away from 60 career shutouts
Teddy Blueger - three points away from 100 NHL points
Reilly Smith - three goals away from 200 NHL goals
Shea Theodore - two assists away from 200 NHL assists

PACIFIC DIVISION PICTURE
Vegas Golden Knights - 46-21-6, 98 points
Los Angeles Kings - 43-20-10, 96 points
Edmonton Oilers - 42-23-9, 93 points
Seattle Kraken - 40-25-8, 88 points
Calgary Flames - 33-26-15, 81 points
Vancouver Canucks - 34-34-5, 73 points
Anaheim Ducks - 23-41-10, 56 points
San Jose Sharks - 19-39-15, 53 points

OPPOSITION UPDATE
The Oilers have been a top-3 team in the Pacific Division throughout the season. Entering the game against Vegas, Edmonton sits in third place in the division with 93 points and a 42-23-9 record. They are coming off a back-to-back against the Arizona Coyotes which they won 5-4. Connor McDavid is the club's leading scorer with 140 points (60G, 80A). Leon Draisaitl ranks second with 114 points (46G, 68A) and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is third in scoring with 91 points (34G, 57A).

A VEGAS VICTORY WOULD…
- Mark the 263rd win in franchise history
- Give the Golden Knights a 9-8-2 record against Edmonton all-time

KEYS TO THE GAME
Stay disciplined:Edmonton has the best power play in the league at 31.9%. The Golden Knights must stay out of the box to not give the Oilers any chances with the man advantage.
Clinching time: The Golden Knights can clinch a playoff spot if they win tonight's matchup in regulation, in addition to the Nashville Predators losing to the Boston Bruins. Even if Nashville wins, Vegas will reach 100 points on the season.