The Vegas Golden Knights (33-22-7) return to the Fortress for a Pacific Division matchup against the Vancouver Canucks (40-17-7) on Thursday at 7 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
TV: Vegas 34 (Scripps Sports)
Streaming: KnightTime+
Radio: FOX Sports Las Vegas 98.9/1340
NOTES
The Golden Knights acquired forward Anthony Mantha from Washington on Tuesday before trading for Noah Hanifin from Calgary on Wednesday.
Thursday's meeting is the second of the season between the Golden Knights and Canucks. Vegas holds a 1-0-0 record.
Vegas is 2-7-1 in its last 10 matchups, while Vancouver has gone 4-5-1.
*VGK MILESTONE WATCH
Jonathan Marchessault – six games away from 500 games as a Golden Knight
CAREER MILESTONE WATCH
Jack Eichel - one goal away from 200 career goals
Ben Hutton – one game away from 500 career games
Ivan Barbashev - two goals away from 100 career goals; five games away from 500 career games
Logan Thompson - two wins away from 50 career wins
VGK SCORING LEADERS
Jonathan Marchessault – 53 points (32G, 21A)
Mark Stone – 53 points (16G, 37A)
Jack Eichel – 44 points (19G, 25A)
William Karlsson – 43 points (22G, 21A)
Chandler Stephenson – 38 points (14G, 24A)
Ivan Barbashev – 35 points (14G, 21A)
Noah Hanifin - 35 points (11G, 24A)
Anthony Mantha - 34 points (20G, 14A)
Nicolas Roy – 34 points (11G, 23A)
LAST TIME OUT
The Vegas Golden Knights finished out their five-game road trip in a 6-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. Mason Morelli, William Karlsson, and Chandler Stephenson got the Golden Knights on the board. Vegas finished the trip with a 1-3-1 record.
2023-24 SEASON SERIES
The Vegas Golden Knights hold a season series advantage over Vancouver after taking down the Canucks, 4-1, at Rogers Arena on Nov. 30. Ivan Barbashev, Jack Eichel, William Karlsson, and Brett Howden all tallied goals as Eichel recorded a three-point night (1G, 2A) and Barbashev (1G, 1A) and Alex Pietrangelo (2A) posted two points each to the scoresheet. Howden scored the fastest goal to start a period so far this season at 16 seconds into the third. Vancouver's Andrei Kuzmenko got one back for the Canucks four minutes later but the Golden Knights managed to skate away with the 4-1 win on the road.
OPPOSITION UPDATE
The Vancouver Canucks will wrap up their three-game road trip in Vegas after defeating the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday and the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday. With a 40-17-17 record, Vancouver owns 87 points, continuing to lead both the Western Conference and Pacific Division as they have since Jan. 18. They hold the second spot in the league just three points behind the Florida Panthers. Four Canucks have posted 60+ points this season, including J.T. Miller (84), Elias Pettersson (76), Quinn Hughes (73) and Brock Boeser (64). Hughes is tied for fourth in the league in assists with 61 and boasts a plus/minus of +33, second in the league. Boeser leads the way on the power play for Vancouver, scoring 15 goals on the man advantage this season. In net, Thatcher Demko has backstopped the Canucks to 32 wins, the most of any goaltender in the league. Demko has posted a 2.52 goals-against average (10th in the league) and a .915 save percentage (8th) in that time.
A VGK VICTORY WOULD...
-Mark the 301st win in franchise history
-Give the Golden Knights 12 wins over Pacific Division teams this season
-Post a 4-1-0 record against opponents on a Thursday at the Fortress
-Improve the Golden Knights all-time record versus the Canucks to 14-2-3
KEYS TO THE GAME
New Faces: After acquiring forward Anthony Mantha in a trade with the Washington Capitals on Tuesday and defenseman Noah Hanifin from Calgary on Wednesday, the Golden Knights roster has some new faces. If Mantha and/or Hanifin play on Thursday, they'll bring new energy to the group.
Defense: The Golden Knights have let up five-or-more goals in their last three matchups. It will come down to defense, puck management, and keeping the puck out of the net to pick up a win against Vancouver.
