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Shea Theodore Is Emerging + Knights Visit Childhood Cancer Foundation
November 18, 2017, 10:00 PM ET [0 Comments]
Sheng Peng
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Who starts in goal against Los Angeles?

That was the first question on everybody's mind during Golden Knights practice this morning.

Malcolm Subban is off the disabled list, but Maxime Lagace, who's coming off a solid performance against the Canucks, had held down the fort for the last three weeks.

"I got my mind made up," noted Gerard Gallant. "Lagace's been really good for me."

We'll find out tomorrow. For what it's worth, my fellow scribes are guessing Lagace.

Gallant also scoffed at the notion of a budding Kings-Golden Knights rivalry. "There has to be a playoff series. We're a long way from that."

He had more to say about the "new-look" Kings, who come into Las Vegas atop the Pacific Division.

"They play a lot the same style. But I think they're a little more offensive, the way they're playing. I don't think it's changed a whole lot in the D-zone."

As for Marc-Andre Fleury, who didn't suit up, but was spotted on the bench during practice, Gallant offered nothing new. We also learned nothing more about Luca Sbisa, who's on IR with a lower body injury. Neither player will dress tomorrow.

***

Since being called up, Shea Theodore has been in and out of the line-up.

But the talented 22-year-old may have solidified his position, at least for now, with an excellent performance against Vancouver on Thursday. Theodore's gap control, product of his mobility and long stick, broke up multiple attacks, and his outlets were consistently crisp. He clocked a season-high 21:04.

This was just one example of his work against the Canucks:



I caught up with Shea today and asked him where he's at with his game and who has the worst Movember mustache on the team. Gallant also added his two cents about what had been keeping the youngster out of the line-up.

Theodore, Subban, Sbisa, William Carrier, and Alex Tuch are participating in Movember, an annual event which raises awareness for men's health issues. Find out more about Movember here.





Shea Theodore

HockeyBuzz: Hey Shea, you've been in and out of the line-up recently, what have the coaches told you to work on when you've sat?

Shea Theodore: Nothing much. I was back in last game. That's the most I've played since last year. I felt comfortable. I felt good out there. I definitely feel better about my game and where it's going.

HB: Speaking of the last game, you looked sharp out there, is that the kind of game you hope to bring every night?

ST: Definitely. I like the way that I was hard in the d-zone. I was making those passes and jumping into the rush. That's where my game is at. That's what I'm trying to keep it at.

HB: Do you know what the Theodore Expressway is? (HB note: Theodore was recalled 10 times by Anaheim from San Diego last year, so local writers took to naming the 5 freeway in Shea's honor.)

ST: Yeah, I have. It'll be good to go back there and play those guys.

It was an hour [from Anaheim] to San Diego.

But it's good to be here. I love our group of guys. It's going to be exciting to go back [next week] wearing a Vegas jersey.

HB: Speaking of your AHL stops, you've ended up in San Diego and Chicago. For AHL cities, that's winning the lottery, right?

ST: Yeah, everywhere I've played in the American League and the the NHL, you can't find better places. I've been pretty fortunate in that sense. Even that time I spent in Chicago, you're not in Binghamton. Some of those places out east where it's cold and it's tough. I've been pretty fortunate.

HB: Who has the worst Movember mustache on the team?

ST: I think Carrier. Somebody just said that he had the best one, but I don't think it's good at all.

HB: And the best?

ST: Sbisa's got a really good one. I thought mine would be better around this part of the month. But we'll just have to wait and see where I come in.


Gerard Gallant

HockeyBuzz: Was Theodore's performance against Vancouver what you want to see out him on a nightly basis?

Gerard Gallant: For sure. I really liked his game against Vancouver. I liked our team against Vancouver, but Shea played a really good game.

HB: What did he do well?

GG: He didn't turn any pucks over. He made some really strong plays.

He was solid in all areas. That's what we want from him.

He's a young player. Stay away from those big mistakes.

***

After practice, many Golden Knights headed over to Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation to visit current pediatric cancer patients and survivors.

I interrupted Jonathan Marchessault, who had been leading the Knights in cake slices passed out, to ask who he's playing for during Hockey Fights Cancer month.

"Brian Boyle, New Jersey. [Diagnosed] with leukemia in training camp," said Marchessault. "I played with him in Tampa. He's just a great guy, a great human being, a great teammate."

About this visit, he added, "It's nothing for us to come here. Spend a little time with them. I think it makes a big difference for them. It's something we need to think about and do more often."



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Vegas will host its inaugural Hockey Fights Cancer Night on November 28th against the Stars. From the official press release:

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