Well, that was fun, but the Vegas Golden Knights are officially back in business.
On Wednesday, the Golden Knights make their return after the Olympic break to close out the season series against the Los Angeles Kings.
Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Date: Wednesday, February 25
Time: 7:00pm PST
How To Watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max
Radio: 1340 AM, 94.7 FM
Ironically enough, these two teams faced off on Feb. 5 in the final NHL game before the break, in which the Golden Knights rode a strong first period to win 4-1. Since then, much has changed between the two teams, so the same strategies might not play out in the same way. Still, the Golden Knights must trudge onwards, especially now that they find themselves in the home stretch of the regular season.
Here is how the Golden Knights can seize the day and start their return on the right foot.
A little less Golden
In fairness, no one can blame Jack Eichel or Noah Hanifin for getting caught up in the post-Olympic excitement.
The two were part of the first USA gold medal-winning team since 1980, and they were in Washington, D.C., yesterday on the team’s official visit to the White House and being recognized during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address. However, the two being a part of the festivities means they will be out for this contest and return to the team on Friday when they face the Washington Capitals, while Vegas’ Canadian contingent (Mitch Marner, Mark Stone, Shea Theodore) are still to be determined.
In the event some players cannot go, the Golden Knights recalled forwards Kai Uchacz and Tanner Laczynski and defenseman Dylan Coghlan from the Henderson Silver Knights as a backup plan.
On the mend
It was good news for the Golden Knights on the home front as well.
Defenseman Brayden McNabb is back on the ice as expected, and the team is looking forward to having him available for the first time since Dec. 31 against the Nashville Predators. Forwards Colton Sisson and Brandon Saad were also activated from injured reserve, suggesting that the team will be adding them back in the lineup as well. Goaltender Carter Hart and forward Brett Howden now join William Karlsson on LTIR, but getting closer to icing their normal group is a positive development for the Golden Knights.
The Bread tax
While the Golden Knights are getting a cleaner bill of health, the same matter is now a risk towards derailing the Kings’ season.
During the Olympics, forward Kevin Fiala suffered a season-ending lower-body injury in the group stage game between Switzerland and Canada. It is a devastating blow for the Kings, who traded for forward Artemi Panarin on Feb. 4 in an attempt to bolster their current core. With Panarin expected to make his Kings debut, the Golden Knights will get the first look on how their divisional rival handles their new situation.
