PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR VEGAS
Cody Glass: Glass is expected to be one of the Golden Knights' top forwards at the tournament. He finished second among rookie scorers during the 2019 Calder Cup Playoffs with 15 points (7G, 8A) in his first true taste of professional hockey.
Nic Hague: Hague's offensive tendencies will be on display in Anaheim. GM Kelly McCrimmon said he's excited to see how players perform against their peer group and Hague's 6'6 frame makes him an easy bet to stand out.
Dylan Coghlan: Hunger will drive Dylan Coghlan at this year's rookie faceoff. He was held out of a significant chunk of the 2019 Calder Cup Playoffs due to injury and he will be eager to show that he took steps in the right direction this summer.
Kaedan Korczak: Korczak is Vegas' highest draft pick from the 2019 draft (2nd round, 41st overall) competing in Anaheim with Peyton Krebs still rehabilitating a late 2018-19 injury. Korczak will be expected to show why the Golden Knights traded up for him at the draft.
ABOUT COLORADO
The Avalanche boast three former first round draft picks on their roster in forward Martin Kaut (2018 16th overall), forward Shane Bowers (2017, 16th overall) and recently acquired defenseman Bowen Byram (2019, 4th overall). Colorado will have its eyes on two others draft picks from 2019 in forward Alex Beaucage (3rd round, 78th overall) and Sasha Mutala (5th round 140th overall). Adam Werner, Trent Miner and Hunter Miska will share the net for the Avalanche during the tournament.
LAST YEAR'S SHOWDOWN
The Golden Knights and Avalanche met at City National Arena during the Vegas Rookie Faceoff last September and put on a show for the sellout crowd. Vegas came away with a 7-6 victory on the back of Gage Quinney's three-point performance (1G, 2A). Nic Hague (2G) and Cody Glass (2A) each registered a pair of points in that contest.
KEYS TO THE GAME
Take Risks: Chicago Wolves head coach Rocky Thompson said he wants to see his team give 100% and that reigning players in is not an option. There are only three games in the showcase and each player will need to use each second on the ice to show what they've got.
Help Your Goalie: Last year, the Golden Knights were involved in some high-scoring games during the rookie faceoff and, while they showed they can find the back of the net, other teams did just the same. Vegas can win if it values defense more than the opponent.
