Two home games against the Arizona Coyotes are on deck, before the Golden Knights hit the road for another two against the Yotes. Heading into tonight’s matchup, there are a few notable storylines to know and follow.
Both teams have big changes coming to their lineups, although neither have yet to lose in regulation. So what are we looking for as the teams hit the ice? Check it out below.
Lineup Changes:
To start the season, the Vegas Golden Knights suited up five defensemen and 13 forwards. Keegan Kolesar made the club while defensemen Nic Hague and Nick Holden were relegated to the taxi squad. Through two games, Kolesar logged a pedestrian 7:06 TOI. In the second game against the Ducks, he didn’t skate following the first period.
Alex Pietrangelo was on the ice for a whopping 29:26 of regulation time in the Golden Knights’ 2-1 overtime win Saturday. He’s averaging 27:27 through his first two golden games. In order to help balance the club and stabilize the defense, Hague seems to be drawing in with the waiver exempt Cody Glass taking a seat. Kolesar will center line four as Tomas Nosek will slide into Glass’ vacated slot.
On the visiting side, the Coyotes will be without their leader, Oliver Ekman-Larsson. OEL is one of the best all-around defensemen in the league on top of donning the C for the Coyotes. His loss will be felt throughout the organization. In net, Darcy Kuemper looks to get the nod.
Two Tremendous Tandems:
Speaking of Kuemper, both of these teams have one of the best goaltending tandems in the NHL. Just as the Golden Knights have, the Coyotes used both goalies in their first two games. Kuemper dropped an overtime shootout in the Coyotes’ season opener. He’ll be looking for his first win of the season, in place of Antti Raanta.
Vegas’ starter remains up in the air. As Pete DeBoer broke heading into the season, the starting goaltender will be a game time announcement in order to keep the opponent guessing. A 50/50 split is what he leaned on pre-playoffs and if he holds true to that, Robin Lehner will be tonight’s starter. Regardless of the starter, each team has a leg up due to the quality of their goaltenders.
Superstar Starts:
Phil Kessel, at 33-years-old, looks rejuvenated this season. He’s got three goals in the first two games of the season and looks like the Kessel of old. His 14-goal, -21 rating 2019-20 season is an embarrassment to a career of positive goal and point production. A refocused and successful Kessel goes a long way for the hard to project Coyotes.
After being named their first-ever captain, Mark Stone has played the part, with a 1-3-4 line through two games. He has risen to the occasion in both games, scoring the go-ahead goal 0:49 seconds into the third period of their first game. In game two, Stone teed up a game-winning one-timer for Max Pacioretty a brisk seven seconds into overtime. Captain Clutch is inevitably becoming his persona.
Golden Knights Lineup:
With a need for the extra defenseman and waiver constraints, the Golden Knights will be playing without the young, dynamic Glass. The move helps protect a player like Kolesar from being exposed to poaching.
Pacioretty - Stephenson - Stone
Marchessault - Karlsson - Smith
Tuch - Nosek - Roy
Carrier - Kolesar - Reaves
McNabb - Pietrangelo
Martinez - Theodore
Hague - Whitecloud
Lehner/Fleury*
* Game time decision
As always, I will be live Tweeting from the game and providing instant reactions and analysis. Join the conversation at any of the links below. Tonight’s puck drops in Vegas at 7pm PST.
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