Cooper Krigbaum
The Vegas Golden Knights return to the ice tonight to face the Winnipeg Jets in the second-to-last game of the regular season. With the postseason approaching, we’re really starting to get down to the wire.
The Golden Knights will close out the regular season with a two-game homestand, beginning tonight against the Jets before hosting the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday.
Here is the latest from practice.
Reilly Smith in, Saad Out
Per Danny Webster, the Golden Knights will roll out with Reilly Smith, rather than Brandon Saad. The two have been bouncing back and forth between the lineup.
“Smith will go tonight and Saad will be out,” head coach John Tortorella said. “I’ve got to figure that out, I like where the other lines are at. I’m going to switch them out tonight and we’ll see how that all works out.”
Smith has 13 goals and 22 points in 67 games compared to Saad’s three goals and nine points in 49 games played.
Hart Gets the Nod in Net
Carter Hart gets the nod in net tonight against the Jets and looking at his play, it’s no shock. He is 4-0-0 in his last four games with a goals against average of 1.93 and a save percentage of .918.
Why wouldn’t he start? In the playoffs he is 9-5-0 in 14 games with a goals against average of 2.23 and a save percentage of .926 in the playoffs in his career.
“Carter is on track to be in a really good position here to lead the way as we hit the playoffs.” Tortorella said.
As the regular season dwindles down, we’ll see if the Golden Knights lean towards Hart or if they give Adin Hill a chance to steal the crease back.
High Stakes vs. Jets
Unlike in past seasons, the Golden Knights still have plenty at stake down the stretch. Vegas has won four of the past seven Pacific Division titles but is not yet in position to coast into the postseason.
The Golden Knights currently sit atop the division with 91 points, with the Edmonton Oilers and Anaheim Ducks close behind at 90 points.
A win against the Jets would move Vegas to 93 points. Winning out would clinch the division and likely set up a first-round matchup against the top wild-card team, which is trending toward the Utah Mammoth.
Puck drop tonight is set for 7:00 p.m. PST.
