BROADCAST INFORMATION
TV: ESPN
Radio: FOX Sports Las Vegas 98.9/1340
Watch Party: Sierra Gold - 9465 S. Eastern Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89123
Pregame Show: Vegas Golden Knights Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & Twitch at 6 p.m.
NOTES
Tuesday marks the dawn of the sixth NHL season for the Vegas Golden Knights. The team has a 4-1-0 in season-opening games. Vegas is opening on the road for the second time in franchise history.
Click here for the team's opening night roster.
PRESEASON RECAP
Vegas skated to a 4-2-1 record in the preseason as the team completed its seven-game exhibition schedule. The Golden Knights went 2-1-1 on home ice in the preseason including a 7-1 win against Colorado on Sept. 28. Two neutral site games were on the calendar for the Golden Knights who knocked off Los Angeles, 6-4, on Oct. 6 in Salt Lake City before topping Arizona, 5-1, on Oct. 8 in Boise.
2021-22 VGK SCORING LEADERS
Jonathan Marchessault - 66 points (30G, 36A)
Chandler Stephenson - 64 points (21G, 43A)
Shea Theodore - 52 points (14G, 38A)
Alex Pietrangelo - 44 points (13G, 31A)
Nicolas Roy - 39 points (15G, 24A)
NEW-LOOK KNIGHTS
The Golden Knights have some new faces around the rink for the start of the 2022-23 season. With Bruce Cassidy at the helm for his first season as the head coach, the team looks to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs after missing out in 2021-22 for the first time. Phil Kessel headlines the team's offseason acquisitions as the two-time Stanley Cup Champion has an opportunity to break the all-time consecutive games played record this season. He enters the year at 982 straight games - seven games shy of Keith Yandle's record (989 games).
With Robin Lehner expected to miss the entire season, Vegas looks to the tandem of Logan Thompson and Adin Hill to start the season between the pipes. Thompson garnered attention with a strong finish to the 2021-22 season while Hill was acquired in a trade with San Jose to add depth to the VGK crease. Though both players saw action with the team last season, Jake Leschyshyn and Paul Cotter cracked the opening night roster for the first time in their respective careers.
OPPOSITION UPDATE
Los Angeles enters the 2022-23 season after ending a three-year absence from the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Kings finished third in the Pacific Division with 99 points and were defeated in seven games by the Edmonton Oilers in the opening round of the postseason. Los Angeles was led by Anze Kopitar who posted a team-best 67 points (19G, 48A) last season. Adrian Kempe had a breakout season with 35 goals while Phillip Danault put up 51 points (27G, 24A) in his first season with the Kings. The biggest offseason acquisition the Kings made was a trade for forward Kevin Fiala who notched a career-high 85 points (33G, 52A) with the Minnesota Wild in 2021-22.
A VEGAS VICTORY WOULD…
- Mark the 215th win in franchise history
- Give the Golden Knights a 5-1-0 record in season-opening games
KEYS TO THE GAME
Offense Early: When Vegas and Los Angeles met in Salt Lake City last week, the Kings jumped out to an early 2-0 lead. Though the Golden Knights won out in the long run, the team will look to avoid digging an early hole in the Kings' home opener.
Set the Tone:The first game of a new season represents a fresh start for all 32 teams. While the return of the NHL season calls for celebration, it doesn't come without the realization that the quest for the Stanley Cup begins now.
