The Vegas Golden Knights (8-4-0) finish up a quick two-game road trip in Columbus against the Blue Jackets (3-5-0) on Saturday at Nationwide Arena at 4 p.m. PT.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
TV: Scripps Sports (The Spot-Vegas 34 in Vegas; full network)
Streaming: KnightTime+
Radio: X 107.9 | 105.7 Maxima
NOTES
Jack Eichel is tied for fourth in the league in points at 19.
Trevor Connelly remains in first place for rookie goals at 4.
CAREER MILESTONES WATCH
Nic Dowd – One point away from 200 career points
Brayden McNabb – Two points away from 200 NHL career points
Brayden McNabb – Three games away from 900 NHL games
Jeremy Lauzon – Four games away from 400 NHL games
VGK MILESTONE WATCH
Shea Theodore - Seven games away from 600 VGK games
Mitch Marner – Eight games away from 100 VGK games
Mitch Marner – Eight points away from 100 VGK points
William Karlsson – Nine points away from becoming the franchise scoring leader
VGK SCORING LEADERS
Jack Eichel – 19 points (6G, 13A)
Mark Stone – 15 points (8G, 7A)
Mitch Marner – 12 points (2G, 10A)
Ivan Barbashev – 9 points (1G, 8A)
Brett Howden – 8 points (5G, 3A)
BY THE NUMBERS
4 – Mark Stone is tied for fifth in goals in the league with eight
8 – The Golden Knights are tied for first in the NHL in wins with eight
LAST TIME OUT
In part one of their road trip, the Golden Knights suffered a 6-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues. The Blues struck first, and struck hard, with a power-play goal from Pavel Buchnevich, followed by Justin Barron’s tally three minutes later, putting them up 2-0. Brett Howden slashed their lead in half with help from Noah Hanifin and Alexander Holtz, but Mason McTavish put St. Louis back up by two to end the middle frame. Jack Eichel's goal early in the third cut the gap to 3-2, but the Blues secured the game with three unanswered goals – one from Jimmy Snuggerud and two from Dylan Holloway.
2025-26 SEASON SERIES
The Golden Knights and Blue Jackets squared off twice last season, with Vegas sweeping the series. The Dec. 13 contest in Columbus saw the visitors rally from a 2-1 deficit to win 3-2 as Mitch Marner recorded a three-point game, and Brayden McNabb scored the game-winner.
The Jan. 8 game at T-Mobile Arena saw the Blue Jackets jump out to a 2-0 lead before the Golden Knights scored five of the next six for a 5-3 victory. Mark Stone, Tomas Hertl, Jack Eichel, and Marner all recorded multi-point nights in another come-from-behind triumph.
OPPOSITION UPDATE
Columbus is eight games into their season so far, with a record of three wins and five losses for six points. They sit in eighth place in the Metropolitan Division. Notably, their last win was one week ago against the New York Rangers, 1-0 in overtime, as Kent Johnson scored three and a half minutes into the extra frame to break the double goose egg. Charlie Coyle leads the team with seven points in eight games.
PACIFIC DIVISION STANDINGS
Edmonton Oilers, 8-1-1, 17 points
Vegas Golden Knights, 8-4-0, 16 points
Seattle Kraken, 7-3-1, 15 points
San Jose Sharks, 6-4-1, 13 points
Anaheim Ducks, 4-6-0, 8 points
Los Angeles Kings, 2-4-2, 6 points
Calgary Flames, 3-6-0, 6 points
Vancouver Canucks, 2-9-1, 5 points
A VEGAS VICTORY WOULD…
- Mark the 410th regular-season win for the team
- Give the Golden Knights a 10-7-0 all-time record against Columbus
- Bump Vegas' all-time record at Nationwide Arena to 5-4-0
KEYS TO THE GAME
Nip It In The Bud: The Golden Knights have lost 6-2 in their last two games, and forward Jack Eichel says it’s a little bit concerning, as they are giving up too many chances. They will look to get their defensive game dialed in today in Columbus.
Punctuality Makes Perfect: The Golden Knights have surrendered the game's opening goal in all four of their losses this season, giving up multiple goals in three of those four games. An early lead will go a long way towards getting them back in the win column.
