The 4-7-1 Seattle Kraken are in town tonight to face off against the miraculously 6-6-0 Las Vegas Golden Knights. After dominating against Montreal for two periods on Saturday, injuries and team fatigue started showing it’s ugly face in a 5-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings in a game where the Knights lost the game in the first period. The Red Wings skated the Knights into the ground in the first 20 minutes and left the period up 3-1.
With a bit of rest the Golden Knights should be playing much better. Here’s some good news:
The Captain is almost back Mark Stone is looking good in practice. He’s been skating with the team for about a week now. Head Coach Peter DeBoer has this to say of Mark Stone’s return:
(Courtesy of Jesse Granger of the Athletic @JesseGranger)
Nolan Patrick is skating again Another player is back to practicing with the team. 2017 2nd overall pick Nolan Patrick is approaching a return to the lineup.
Here’s today’s lineup:
Marchessault-Roy-Smith Carrier-Stephenson-Dadonov Kolesar-Leschyshyn-Janmark Rà¸ndbjerg-Howden-Cotter
Hague–Pietrangelo Martinez–Theodore McNabb–Coghlan
Lehner
Amadios Recent waiver addition Mike Amadio has been putting in a gritty effort in four games with the Golden Knights. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been much offence to his game. Two shots and zero points. With several players approaching a return from IR; Mike’s time in Vegas may be running short. There is a good chance that he hits waivers in the next few weeks. If he can’t make the lineup with this many injuries, then there is no way he sticks.
Cotter gets first game While Amadio draws out, rookie Paul Cotter will be playing his first NHL game tonight. He showed strong offensive ability in the preseason and has two goals in eight games in Henderson of the AHL. The 21 year old former London Knight can play center or wing.
Starting strong The Golden Knights have been completely dominated in first periods of late. Three goals against in Detroit. Outshot 20-1 in Montreal. One shot. Even Ottawa outshot Vegas 16-11. Peter DeBoer will be asking for a lot more out of the gate tonight against Seattle.
Battle of the stressed out assistant coaches Tonight’s matchup features the two worst power plays in the league. It took until Saturday night for the Golden Knights to score their first powerplay goals (2). Somehow. Somehow — the Kraken are worse with a 7.9% with the extra man. Vegas is 8.3%. Something isn’t clicking given the Kraken have some pretty good offensive weapons in Giordano, Schwartz, Eberle and Dunn.
Game time is 8pm MT. Have fun.
Trevor Neufeld
Follow me on Twitter @Trevor_Neufeld