The Vegas Golden Knights face the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday at T-Mobile Arena, wrapping up their season series after a 2-1 overtime loss in October. Vegas enters with a 7-2-3 record, tied for first in the Pacific Division, while Tampa Bay stands at 6-5-2.
The matchup marks the third game of a six-game homestand for the Golden Knights, who are coming off a 1-0 shutout victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday. Ivan Barbashev scored the game's only goal, assisted by Brandon Saad and Jeremy Lauzon, while Akira Schmid earned his first shutout with the team by stopping all 24 shots. Colton Sissons played in his 700th career NHL game during that contest.
In the season series opener on Oct. 26 at Amalie Arena, Tampa Bay's Brandon Hagel scored early, William Karlsson tied it late in the first period, and Nikita Kucherov netted the overtime winner 32 seconds in. Carl Lindbom made 26 saves in his NHL debut for Vegas.
Vegas leads the league with a .708 points percentage and ranks fifth in opening the scoring, doing so 336 times since their inaugural season. Scoring leaders include Jack Eichel with 19 points (8 goals, 11 assists), Mitch Marner with 14 points (3G, 11A), and Mark Stone with 13 points (2G, 11A). Tomas Hertl leads faceoff wins at 62%, and Barbashev's recent game-winner was his 17th career such goal.
Tampa Bay, fifth in the Atlantic Division, recently won 4-2 against the Utah Mammoth but lost 3-2 to the Colorado Avalanche, ending a five-game win streak. Brayden Point reached 200 career even-strength goals, and Kucherov hit 60 career game-opening goals. Jake Guentzel leads with 12 points (5G, 7A), followed by Anthony Cirelli and Kucherov at 11 points each.
Head coach Bruce Cassidy emphasized special teams, noting Vegas has killed off 18 of their last 20 penalties, and activating offense in all zones against Tampa's strong defense. A victory would give Vegas their 369th franchise win and improve their record against Tampa to 9-6-1.
Fans can participate in the annual Canned Food Drive on Toshiba Plaza from 5-7 p.m., presented by Nacho Daddy, donating nonperishable items for a specialty poster.