The Vegas Golden Knights (1-0-0) take on the Anaheim Ducks (0-0-0) at T-Mobile Arena, with puck drop at 7 p.m. PT.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
TV: Scripps Sports (The Spot-Vegas 34 in Vegas; full network)
Streaming: KnightTime+
Radio: X 107.9 KVGS-FM | 105.7 Maxima
NOTES
Trevor Connelly scored a goal in his NHL debut against the Chicago Blackhawks. He is the second youngest player to do so in franchise history.
Jack Eichel earned his 700th and 701st career points on Tuesday.
Head Coach Ryan Craig won his first NHL game behind the bench on Opening Knight.
Original Misfit William Karlsson signed a two-year contract extension with Vegas on Wednesday, sticking with the team through the 2028-29 season.
9TH ISLAND KNIGHT
Friday's 9th Island Knight recognizes the Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community in Southern Nevada, and the strong connection between Las Vegas and Hawai’i.
On 9th Island Knight, fans will be able to see a live Hula performance on the Allegiant Stage on Paramount+ Plaza and participate in a virtual surfing competition in the plaza before the game. An exclusive OneRealm beach towel will be given to fans who purchased their tickets through a 9th Island ticket package, and all fans in attendance will receive a battle towel on their seat.
Merchandise will be available for purchase at The Arsenal in City National Arena and The Armory in T-Mobile Arena.
Alongside the first Cultural Theme Knight of the season, the Golden Knights launched OneRealm. The initiative is designed to increase engagement and deepen the connection between members of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities and the sport of hockey. OneRealm aims to creative opportunities through Cultural Theme Knights, culturally significant content, community partnership and introducing a ball hockey program.
VGK MILESTONE WATCH
Mark Stone – 3 points away from 400 points as a Golden Knight
CAREER MILESTONE WATCH
Nic Dowd – 2 points away from 200 NHL points
Brayden McNabb – 7 points away from 200 NHL points
Jack Eichel – 9 points away from 700 NHL games
VGK SCORING LEADERS
Jack Eichel – 3 points (1G, 2A)
Brayden McNabb – 2 points (2A)
Shea Theodore – 2 points (2A)
Ivan Barbashev – 2 points (2A)
BY THE NUMBERS
1 – Trevor Connelly scored his first career goal in his NHL debut.
3 - Jack Eichel became the third player in league history with three or more points in three-straight season-opening games.
8 – With Tuesday's Opening Knight victory, the Golden Knights extended their season-openers point streak to eight games.
9 – Eichel became the ninth U.S.-born player to reach 700 career points in 700 games or fewer.
22 – Mark Stone owns the second-most points in season openers among all active players with 22 (8G, 14A).
LAST TIME OUT
The Golden Knights defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 5-2 on Tuesday on Opening Knight at T-Mobile Arena. Victor Olofsson netted the first goal of the Golden Knights' season for the second time with a power-play goal midway through the first period. Trevor Connelly doubled Vegas' lead with his first career goal five minutes later. Jordan Greenway found the back of the net for the Blackhawks with 7:37 remaining in the middle frame. Jack Eichel posted his second point of the night, and 700th career point, with a goal to put the Golden Knights up 3-1. Patrick Kane scored his first goal since returning to the Blackhawks, but Noah Hanifin gave Vegas another two-goal lead just 39 seconds later. Mark Stone sealed the win with an empty-net goal with over two minutes left in the third period. Carter Hart earned the win in net, turning aside 24 of 26 shots for a .923 save percentage.
2025-26 SEASON SERIES
Vegas posted a 0-2-1 record against Anaheim in the 2025-26 regular season. The teams met for the first time last season on Nov. 8, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena. The Ducks took the 4-3 win in overtime with Brett Howden scoring a goal and eight different Golden Knights tallying a point in the loss. Two weeks later at Honda Center, the Ducks registered a second 4-3 overtime win against the Golden Knights, with Jack Eichel recording a two-assist night. The final meeting between the teams during regular season was back at T-Mobile Arena on Feb.1, where Anaheim won 4-3 for the third-straight game, this time in regulation. Mitch Marner, Tomas Hertl, and Ivan Barbashev each recorded a goal, and Mark Stone recorded a two-point night.
Anaheim Ducks and Vegas battled each other in the Second Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Golden Knights earned the series victory in six games, earning their fifth berth to the Western Conference Final. Marner led the scoring in the Second Round for Vegas with 11 points (5G, 6A), Eichel posted six points (6A), and Howden recorded five points (4G, 1A). Carter Hart earned all four wins in the series.
OPPOSITION UPDATE
The Anaheim Ducks will play their first game of the 2026-27 on Friday. Following Friday's matchup, the club will return home for a two-game homestand against the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers. In the offseason, the Ducks signed a five-year extension with Leo Carlsson. Other notable transactions include Tristain Luneau, Cutter Gauthier and Pavel Mintyukov. Most recently, Anaheim signed Tristan Luneau to a six-year contract extension, having only previously appeared in 14 career NHL games. Gauthier led the team with 69 points (41G, 28A) last season, followed by Carlsson at 67 points (29G, 38A), and Beckett Sennecke at 60 points (23G, 37A).
PACIFIC DIVISION STANDINGS
Edmonton Oilers – 1-0-1, 3 points
Seattle Kraken – 1-0-0, 2 points
Vegas Golden Knights – 1-0-0, 2 points
San Jose Sharks – 1-0-0, 2 pointsVancouver Canucks – 1-1-0, 2 points
Anaheim Ducks – 0-0-0, 0 points
Los Angeles Kings – 0-1-0, 0 points
Calgary Flames – 0-1-0, 0 points
A VEGAS VICTORY WOULD…
- Mark the 403rd win in franchise history
- Give the Golden Knights a 28-8-3 all-time record against Anaheim
- Give the Golden Knights a 16-3-1 record against Anaheim at T-Mobile Arena
- Make Head Coach Ryan Craig the fifth-straight Vegas coach to win the first two games behind the bench
KEYS TO THE GAME
Defend The Fortress: Following Vegas' win on Tuesday, Head Coach Ryan Craig acknowledge that all three defensive pairs are skilled on the blueline. Each pair followed closely in ice time, and Craig stated the evenness helped each pair stay fresh. John Stevens helps manage the back end with strong communication and management, something that Craig gives Stevens big credit for.
Familiar Foe: The Golden Knights face a familiar Pacific Division rival, after most recently facing off in the postseason. Vegas enters Friday's matchup with a game under their belt and the rust shaken off, giving them a slight advantage over the Ducks who will play their first game on Friday. This presents an opportunity for Vegas to start ahead against Anaheim.
