Morning Skate Report: Oct. 13, 2022

The thrill and excitement of a proper Opening Knight has returned as the Vegas Golden Knights (1-0-0) take on the Chicago Blackhawks (0-1-0) on Thursday at 7 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena. The game is presented by Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.

BROADCAST INFORMATION
TV: AT&T SportsNet
Radio: FOX Sports Las Vegas 98.9/1340 | Deportes Vegas 1460
NOTES
Thursday's game is the first home game of the 2022-23 season for the Golden Knights. The team has a 4-1-0 record in home openers.
Fans can watch Morning Skate live on the team's official Instagram page (@vegasgoldenknights).
MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS
After a three-year absence, Opening Knight will feature the return of the Gold Carpet at Toshiba Plaza where fans can welcome players and coaches before the game. Select Golden Knights players will be the first to walk the Gold Carpet starting at 3:30 p.m. PT followed by broadcasters, coaches and other players. Fans are encouraged to show their Golden Knights pride and sport their best gold apparel to represent the beginning of "The Golden Age" campaign. Fans who are unable to join the festivities in person can listen to the VGK Insider Show on FOX Sports Las Vegas (98.9 FM/1340 AM), broadcasting live from Toshiba Plaza, and follow the team's social channels. AT&T SportsNet will interview players for use in its special hour-long pregame show that begins at 6 p.m. PT. All fans in attendance Opening Knight will receive gold pompoms at their seats.
LAST TIME OUT
Vegas kicked off the campaign with a 4-3 win against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. Mark Stone cemented the win with the go-ahead goal with 26 seconds left in regulation as the Golden Knights secured their fifth season-opening win in six years. Jonathan Marchessault, Jack Eichel and William Karlsson also found the back of the net for the Golden Knights while Chandler Stephenson and Alex Pietrangelo recorded two assists apiece.
VGK SCORING LEADERS
Chandler Stephenson - 2 points (2A)
William Karlsson - 2 points (1G, 1A)
Alex Pietrangelo - 2 points (2A)
Nicolas Roy - 1 point (1A)
Jack Eichel - 1 point (1G)
Jonathan Marchessault - 1 point (1G)
Mark Stone - 1 point (1G)
Reilly Smith - 1 point (1A)
MILESTONE WATCH
Phil Kessel - one goal from 400 career goals
Chandler Stephenson - one assist from 100 career assists
Mark Stone - three assists from 300 career assists
Shea Theodore - four games from 400 career games
Phil Kessel - six games from tying NHL all-time record of 989 consecutive games played
PACIFIC DIVISION PICTURE
Vegas Golden Knights - 1-0-0, 2 points
Edmonton Oilers - 1-0-0, 2 points
Anaheim Ducks - 1-0-0, 2 points
Seattle Kraken - 0-0-1, 1 point
Calgary Flames - 0-0-0, 0 points
Los Angeles Kings - 0-1-0, 0 points
Vancouver Canucks - 0-1-0, 0 points
San Jose Sharks - 0-2-0, 0 points
OPPOSITION UPDATE
The winds of change are blowing through the windy city as the Chicago Blackhawks enter the 2022-23 season after a busy offseason. Chicago turns to new bench boss Luke Richardson to lead a group that hasn't made the playoffs in an 82-game season since 2017. When the Blackhawks made the playoffs in the 2020 bubble, Vegas defeated them in five games. Chicago fell in its season opener against Colorado on Wednesday night, 5-2.
Last season, the Blackhawks finished seventh in the Central Division with 68 points and a 28-42-12 record. Patrick Kane led the way with 92 points (26G, 66A) in his 15th NHL season. Chicago moved on from leading goal scorer Alex DeBrincat who was traded to Ottawa after potting 41 goals in 2021-22.
A VEGAS VICTORY WOULD…
- Mark the 216th win in franchise history
- Give the Golden Knights a 5-1-0 record in home-openers.
KEYS TO THE GAME
Fortress Frenzy: There's nothing in sports that compares to Opening Knight at T-Mobile Arena. The crowd will have the Golden Knights jumping from the start.
Stay Present: In the raucous atmosphere of The Fortress, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement. Feeding off the energy is a good thing but staying level-headed is a must.