Morning Skate Report: May 6, 2023

The Vegas Golden Knights square off with the Edmonton Oilers in Game 2 of their best-of-seven series on Saturday at 4 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena. The Golden Knights lead the series, 1-0.

BROADCAST INFORMATION
TV: TNT
Radio: FOX Sports Las Vegas 98.9/1340 | Deportes Vegas 1460

FAN ACTIVATIONS
Fans are encouraged to arrive early at T-Mobile Arena, where doors will be open 90 minutes prior to puck drop for the duration of the playoffs. Fans should be prepared for changes in traffic patterns around T-Mobile Arena that may cause delays. On Saturday, Frank Sinatra Dr. will be reduced to one lane in each direction between Excalibur Way and Arena Dr.

On Toshiba Plaza, Golden Knights fans can await the game with music, food, and beverages. Local tattoo artist, Joey Hamilton from Revolt Tattoos, will also be outside T-Mobile Arena before Game 2 for fans interested in a permanent or temporary tattoo of the team's logo. Fans without a ticket are invited to stay on Toshiba Plaza and watch the game live outside.

Inside T-Mobile Arena, battle towels will be placed on individual seats for every home game during the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Those with a ticket to the game are encouraged to download the Stadium FX mobile application on their iPhone or Android device to become part of the team's immersive experience during the pregame show.

During Game 2 on Saturday, May 6, VGK Authentics will have a special activation inside the arena at Section 10. For the first time, the team's game-worn Reverse Retro jerseys from the 2022-23 regular season will be available for purchase for fans attending the game. Jerseys will be bundled together with game-worn helmets. Select bundles from VGK Authentics will be available beginning on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. PT when doors open at T-Mobile Arena. Additional bundles will be available after Game 2 on Monday, May 8, at The Arsenal at City National Arena.

The Golden Knights also announced plans for outdoor watch parties during Game 3 and Game 4 while the team is in Edmonton. On Monday, May 6, Stadium Swim at Circa Resort & Casino will host fans beginning at 4 p.m. PT as puck drop for Game 3 is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. PT. The game will be shown on Stadium Swim's 40-foot-tall HD screen and fans will be greeted by Chance and members of the VGK Cast. A team-signed stick and playoff tickets will be raffled off during the watch party at Stadium Swim on Monday.

The Sandbar at Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa will be the host for the team's official watch party during Game 4 on Wednesday, May 8. Fans can begin gathering for the event at 5:30 p.m. PT as Vegas and Edmonton begin play at 7 p.m. PT. A team-signed stick and playoff tickets will again be raffled off on Wednesday during the Game 4 watch party which will also feature Chance and members of the VGK Cast.

Official playoff merchandise is available for purchase now at The Arsenal at City National Arena.

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.

SERIES AT A GLANCE
Game 1: Golden Knights 6, Oilers 4 | Highlights
Game 2: Saturday, May 6, 4 p.m. PT at T-Mobile Arena (TNT)
Game 3: Monday, May 8, 5:30 p.m. PT at Rogers Place (ESPN)
Game 4: Wednesday, May 10, 7 p.m. PT at Rogers Place (ESPN)
\Game 5: Friday, May 12, (Time TBD) at T-Mobile Arena (TNT)
\Game 6: Sunday, May 14, (Time TBD) at Rogers Place (Broadcast TBD)
\Game 7: Tuesday, May 16, (Time TBD) at T-Mobile Arena (TNT)
\ If necessary

LAST TIME OUT
Vegas put up six goals in a resounding 6-4 victory against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday at T-Mobile Arena. Leon Draisaitl scored all four goals for the Oilers. Draisaitl scored four minutes into the first on the power play. Ivan Barbashev responded less than one minute later to tie it for Vegas, 1-1. Michael Amadio then scored five minutes later to make it 2-1 Golden Knights. Mark Stone scored a power-play goal with less than two minutes remaining in the period to extend the lead to 3-1. Draisaitl scored again, one minute later, to bring the Oilers back within one. After a scoreless second period, Draisaitl opened the scoring in the third on the power play to tie the game, 3-3. Barbashev then scored his second of the game to make it 4-3 Vegas. Less than one minute later, Chandler Stephenson extended the Golden Knights' lead to 5-3. Draisaitl netted his fourth of the game five minutes later, making it 5-4. Then, with less than one minute remaining in the game, Jack Eichel scored an empty net goal on the power play to secure the 6-4 Game 1 win.

PLAYOFF SCORING LEADERSGolden Knights:
Mark Stone - 10 points (4G, 6A)
Chandler Stephenson - 9 points (5G, 4A)
Jack Eichel - 7 points (4G, 3A)

Oilers:
Leon Draisaitl - 15 points (11G, 4A)
Connor McDavid - 12 points (3G, 9A)
Evan Bouchard - 12 points (2G, 10A)

AROUND THE NHL
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Edmonton Oilers (Vegas leads, 1-0)
Seattle Kraken vs. Dallas Stars (Series tied, 1-1)

Florida Panthers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (Florida leads, 2-0)
New Jersey Devils vs. Carolina Hurricanes (Carolina leads, 2-0)

KEYS TO THE GAME
Don't get complacent:The Golden Knights were resilient in Game 1 and found a way to win. However, they can't let their foot off the gas since the Oilers will do everything in their power to not head back to Edmonton down 2-0.

Keep offense rolling: Vegas scored six times on Wednesday night and saw goals from three different lines. Even with six on the board, Edmonton came close on the scoresheet. The Golden Knights have depth, so channeling that on Saturday can help secure a huge 2-0 series lead.