GOLDEN KNIGHTS (42-19-5) at RED WINGS (26-29-11) 7:30 p.m. ET; FS-D, ATTSN-RM, NHL.TV
The Golden Knights lost 4-1 at the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday but lead the second-place Anaheim Ducks by nine points in the Pacific Division. Vegas is 1-3-1 in its past five games after going 5-1-0 in its previous six. Detroit lost 6-5 in overtime at the Boston Bruins on Tuesday and trails the Blue Jackets by 10 points for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference. The Red Wings are 0-3-1 in their past four games and 2-5-2 in their past nine.
Players to watch
Golden Knights forward Jonathan Marchessault has 17 points (four goals, 13 assists) in his past 15 games and leads the team with 65 points (22 goals, 43 assists) in 63 games. Red Wings forward Anthony Mantha had four points (two goals, two assists) in the loss in Boston after scoring one point, a goal, in his previous seven games.
They said it
"This is going to be a challenge, playing against so many friends in this building, but I'm going to try to enjoy it. It should be a fun night." -- Golden Knights forward Tomas Tatar "I'm really excited about tonight, because (Tatar) have been together for a long time, going all the way back to the American Hockey League. I'm sure he'll be chirping at us, just like he does against everyone, and he's pretty funny out there." -- Red Wings forward Gustav Nyquist
Hyka moved into the lineup after Smith was injured against the Blue Jackets. Smith is listed as day to day. … Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said Nielsen, who was injured against Boston, will also miss Detroit's game in Columbus on Friday.
Stat pack
With a win, Vegas will tie the 1993-94 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim with 19 road victories, the most for a first-year NHL franchise. … Abdelkader has three points (one goal, two assists) in a three-game point streak.
