Cup Final rematch between Capitals, Golden Knights highlights week ahead

A rematch of the Stanley Cup Final, two players approaching milestones and Gritty's home debut highlight the week ahead in the NHL.
Here's a look at 5 things to watch:

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1. Golden rematch

The reigning Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals play the Vegas Golden Knights in a rematch of the 2018 Stanley Cup Final at Capital One Arena on Wednesday (8 p.m. ET; NBCSN).
The Capitals defeated the Golden Knights in five games in the Stanley Cup Final and are 1-0-1 in defense of their first championship. Washington has scored 13 goals in its first two regular-season games, a 7-0 win against the Boston Bruins on Wednesday and a 7-6 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday.
Vegas began its second NHL season with a 5-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers at T-Mobile Arena on Thursday and started a five-game road trip with a 2-1 shootout win against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center on Saturday.

2. Predators on the prowl

Another rematch from the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs will take place when the Nashville Predators try to avenge their seven-game loss to the Winnipeg Jets in the Western Conference Second Round at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday (8 p.m. ET; FS-TN, TSN3, NHL.TV).
The Predators, winners of the Presidents' Trophy after going 53-18-11 (117 points) last season, are 2-0-0 after a 3-2 victory at the New York Rangers on Thursday and a 4-3 win against the New York Islanders on Saturday.
The Jets are 1-1-0 following their best season (52-20-10, 114 points) since relocating from Atlanta in 2011.

3. Chicago runs on Duncan

Duncan Keith is expected to play his 1,000th regular-season game in the NHL when the Blackhawks face the St. Louis Blues at United Center on Saturday (8:30 p.m. ET; NBCSCH, FS-MW, NHL.TV). He would become the sixth player and third defenseman to skate in at least 1,000 games for Chicago.

4. The 400 club

Eric Staal is close to becoming the seventh active player to score 400 NHL goals.
Staal, who is five goals from 400, plays two games with the Wild this week, at home against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday (8 p.m. ET; FS-N, FS-WI, WGN, NHL.TV) and the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday (6 p.m. ET; FS-N, FS-CR, NHL.TV). The 33-year-old center scored 322 goals in 12 seasons with the Hurricanes.

5. Gritty city

Gritty has become a national sensation since he was unveiled as the mascot for the Philadelphia Flyers on Sept. 24. He will make his regular-season debut when the Flyers play the San Jose Sharks at Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; NBCSN, NHL.TV).

The 7-foot-tall orange, googly-eyed star has been on "Good Morning America," and mentioned on "The Today Show," "CBS Morning News," "Jimmy Kimmel Live," "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," "The Late Late Show with James Corden" and "The Daily Show." The ultimate Flyers fan even scrapped with comedian Ricky Gervais on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," was the butt of jokes on "Saturday Night Live" and "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver," and danced on the dugout with the Phillie Phanatic at a Philadelphia Phillies game.