VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS NOTES:
GOLDEN KNIGHTS UPCOMING GAMES
Golden Knights 2022-23 Record: 8-2-0, 16 points (5-1-0 at Home, 3-1-0 on Road)
DATE OPPONENT TELEVISION RADIO SPANISH
Nov. 1 at Washington Capitals AT&T SportsNet Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM None
Nov. 3 at Ottawa Senators AT&T SportsNet Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM None
Nov. 5 at Montreal Canadiens AT&T SportsNet Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM None
Nov. 8 at Toronto Maple Leafs AT&T SportsNet Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM None
Nov. 10 at Buffalo Sabres AT&T SportsNet Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM None
GOLDEN KNIGHTS LAST GAME RECAP
October 30 – Vegas Golden Knights 2, Winnipeg Jets 1 (OT)
Jack Eichel was the overtime hero as the Vegas Golden Knights (8-2-0) defeated the Winnipeg Jets (5-3-1) on Sunday at T-Mobile Arena. After a scoreless 40 minutes, Winnipeg’s Adam Lowry scored the first goal of the game 13 seconds into the third. Mark Stone answered by battling the puck in to tie it at 1-1 just before the midway point of the period. Regulation was not enough for either team to break the tie so Vegas entered its first overtime of the season. Then, with seven seconds left in overtime, Eichel skated around the Jets’ zone to the crease to beat Connor Hellebuyck for the winner.
LAST GAME BY THE NUMBERS
- Eichel scores his first OT goal as a Golden Knight and the 28th game-winning goal of his career
- Stone and Eichel each have a pair of points on the night (1G, 1A)
- Adin Hill earns his second win against Winnipeg in 10 days and remains undefeated in net (4-0-0)
- Vegas holds a 48-24 shot advantage, its largest of the season to date
- Vegas’ victory marks the club’s first consecutive wins against WPG in series history
- Vegas improves to 8-2-0 on their 2022-23 campaign
Hitting the Jack-Pot
Jack Eichel recorded two more points in the Golden Knights’ thrilling victory against the Winnipeg Jets. Eichel now leads Vegas in points with 10 in 10 games (4G, 6A). The forward has recorded at least a point in six of Vegas’ 10 games including four multi-point games. Eichel scored his fourth goal of the season on Sunday, with 3 of his 4 goals coming against the Jets. Eichel’s goal marked his first overtime goal as a Golden Knight and his third game-winning-goal with the club. Eichel has had a notable offensive career, recording four 20+ goal seasons and a 30+ goal season in six years with the Buffalo Sabres. In his short time with Vegas, Eichel has appeared in 44 games, posting 35 points (18G, 17A).
Aye-Aye Captain!
Captain Mark Stone notched his third goal of the season in Vegas’ 2-1 victory against Winnipeg on Sunday night. The Golden Knights were down 1-0 late in the third period when Stone scored to send Vegas into overtime, where he then assisted on the winner. Stone has totaled 8 points (3G, 5A) this season, recording at least a point in six of the first 10 games. Prior to Sunday’s victory, Stone notched his second game-winning goal of the 2022-23 campaign in a 4-2 victory at San Jose on Oct. 25. Stone had two assists in Vegas’ loss to Colorado, his first to Jonathan Marchessault which marked the 300th of his career. Stone’s eight points also include his goal that sealed Vegas’ season opening victory against Los Angeles with just 26 seconds remaining in regulation. Stone has a history of a strong offensive presence for the Golden Knights; in his first two full seasons in Vegas, Stone posted consecutive 20-goal seasons. Last season despite only appearing in 37 games due to injury, Stone was able to record 30 points. Stone has skated in 179 games for the Golden Knights, owning 57 goals and 111 assists good for 168 total points. Stone was named the first captain in franchise history entering the 2020-21 season.
Unbeaten Hill
Adin Hill remains unbeaten in net for the Golden Knights after Vegas’ victory against the Winnipeg Jets. Hill stopped 23 of 24 shots on the night, posting a .958 save percentage. This was the second time Hill has faced the Jets this season, their first meeting coming just 10 days prior. In his career, Hill has now faced the Jets three times and is unbeaten by the club, averaging 1.95 goals-against and posting a .920 save percentage (69 of 75 shots). Hill improves to 4-0-0, with an overall save percentage of .940 and 1.72 goals-against average for the season.
Stingy Knights
Vegas leads the NHL in team defense, allowing just 1.70 goals per game – more than half a goal less than the next closest teams (Boston and Dallas, both 2.33 goals allowed per game). Last season the Golden Knights ranked 15th in the league in team defense (2.98 goals allowed per game).
Hitting the Road on Top
Vegas’ Sunday triumph over Winnipeg gives the club an 8-2-0 start to the season. This matches the Golden Knights’ second-best 10-game start in franchise history (T-2, 2017-18 season: 8-2-0). The best start Vegas saw was in 2020-21 during the shortened season where the Golden Knights started 8-1-1. Vegas currently leads the Pacific Division with a +15-goal differential and is second in the NHL behind the Boston Bruins. Boston and Vegas are the only clubs in the league to have reached 8 wins this season.
Best 10-Game Starts, VGK History
8-1-1 – 2020-21
8-2-0 – 2022-23, 2017-18
Four in a Row
Vegas’ four-game winning streak is one shy of its longest from last season, accomplished twice (most recently March 24 to April 3, 2022).
First Things First
Vegas shares the league lead in first-period goals (12) and leads the league in fewest first-period goals allowed (two). The Golden Knights have scored first in seven of 10 games, tied with several teams for the most times taking the first lead. Adin Hill and Logan Thompson have combined for a .976 first period save percentage and have not allowed a first-period goal in the team’s four-game winning streak.
Balancing Act
While Vegas doesn’t have a skater among the league’s top 22 scorers (Jack Eichel ranks T-23rd with 10 points), it is the only team in the league that features seven players with at least seven points on the season. The Golden Knights are also one of four teams, with Edmonton, Minnesota, and Pittsburgh, to feature four players with four-plus goals (through Sunday’s games).
The Iron Man
Phil Kessel appeared in his 990th consecutive game on October 25th against the San Jose Sharks. This broke Keith Yandle’s all-time record for the most consecutive games played in NHL history. Additionally, Kessel scored his 400th career goal in the first period to become the 12th American-born player to score 400 NHL goals. Kessel joined the Golden Knights roster in August after skating for two seasons with the Coyotes. A two-time Stanley Cup champion (2015-16, 2016-17), Kessel has 959 points (400 G, 559 A) in 1,214 career NHL games. He ranks sixth among active players in career games played and ninth in career points. Kessel’s streak started when he was a Maple Leaf in a matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Nov. 3, 2009. The only players from that game that are still active are Luke Schenn (VAN), Victor Hedman (TBL), and Steven Stamkos (TBL). Alec Martinez and Alex Pietrangelo are the only members of the Golden Knights who had started their NHL careers when Kessel’s streak began. Of all other skaters on the Golden Knights, the next longest active streak belongs to William Karlsson, who has skated in 69 consecutive games. For Karlsson to tie Kessel’s streak he would have to play in every game from now until the 28th game of the 2033-34 season. Throughout his streak, Kessel has dressed for four different franchises Toronto (446), Pittsburgh (328), Arizona (208), and Vegas (10). In his 992 games, Kessel has recorded 334 goals and 499 assists for a combined 833 points.
Twinning!
Alec Martinez and Reilly Smith are both four games away from skating in their 700th career game. Martinez, a defenseman, joined the Golden Knights Feb. 19, 2020, from the Los Angeles Kings. With Vegas, Martinez has appeared in 99 games, recording 49 points (14G, 35A). When he was with the Kings, Martinez played in 597 games (198PTS, 62G, 136A) and won two Stanley Cups. Smith, an original member of Vegas, became a Golden Knight in the 2017-18 expansion draft. Smith has appeared in 331 contests with Vegas, totaling 237 points (100G, 137A). Also skating previously with the Florida Panthers (162GP), Boston Bruins (163GP), and Dallas Stars (40GP), the forward has posted 424 total points (176G, 248A) in his NHL career. In Vegas’ victory against Anaheim on Friday, Smith potted his 100th goal as a Golden Knight; he becomes the third player in franchise history to reach this milestone with the club (Jonathan Marchessault, William Karlsson). Prior to the start of their professional careers, Martinez and Smith both attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
The Marchessault Man
Vegas forward Jonathan Marchessault has posted eight points for the Golden Knights (T-2 nd on the team) after recording his third assist of the season and eighth point in nine games on Friday afternoon against the Ducks. Marchessault recorded a team high of five goals within the first six games of the 2022-23 campaign, a personal best for the forward. Marchessault led Vegas with 66 points (30G, 36A) in 76 games last season, including four multi-goal games. Marchessault was the only member of the Golden Knights to hit the 30-goal mark during the 2021-22 campaign. Marchessault also led in shots (251) and was second in assists (36), power-play goals (5), and game-winning goals (5). Through his sixth season as a Golden Knight, Marchessault has appeared in 365 total games and has recorded 299 points (127G, 172A) with Vegas, both franchise highs. Marchessault is just one point away from becoming the first ever Vegas player to reach 300 total points with the club. He is currently tied with Chandler Stephenson (8PTS, 4G, 4A) and Mark Stone (8PTS, 3G, 5A) for second most points on the team this season.
Double Donuts
Logan Thompson recorded his second shutout of the season, the third of his career, in a 4-0 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Friday afternoon. Thompson required the fewest games (6GP) in Golden Knights history to record his second shutout of a season, besting the previous mark set by former Vegas goaltender Mark Andre Fleury (8GP). Additionally, Thompson is the only goaltender in the league to secure two shutouts so far in 2022-23. With his most recent win, Thompson’s record improved to 4-2-0 on the year, posting a 1.69 goals-against average and a .943 save percentage.
Against the Capitals
While the Washington-Vegas series is best known for the 2018 Stanley Cup Final, the Golden Knights have had a decided edge in regular-season play against the Capitals (6-2-0 in 8 GP). Vegas has won three in a row in the series.
2022-23 Season WSH Series: 0-0-0 (Home: 0-0-0, Road: 0-0-0)
Nov. 1 – at Washington
Jan. 21 – at Vegas
2021-22 Season WSH Series: 2-0-0 (Home: 1-0-0, Road: 1-0-0)
Jan. 24 – at Washington (Vegas 4, Washington 3 OT)
Apr. 20 – at Vegas (Vegas 1, Washington 0)
WASHINGTON CAPITALS NOTES:
LAST GAME
Washington 2, Carolina Hurricanes 3 (SO)
October 31, 2022 * PNC Arena * Raleigh, NC
Shots: WSH: 20; CAR: 35
Power Plays: WSH: 1/4; CAR: 1/6
Three Stars: 1. Noesen (CAR), 2. Necas (CAR), 3. Slavin (CAR)
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
INJURIES/ILLNESSES
Nicklas Backstrom: 10/12-10/31 (10 games)
Carl Hagelin: 10/12-10/31 (10 games)
Tom Wilson: 10/12-10/31 (10 games)
Connor Brown: 10/20/22-10/31/22 (6 games)
T.J. Oshie: 10/31/22 (1 game)
John Carlson: 10/31/22 (1 game)
Man Games Lost: 38
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Nov. 3, 7 p.m. ET at Detroit (NBCSW, 106.7 The Fan/Caps Radio 24/7)
Nov. 5, 7 p.m. ET vs. Arizona (NBCSW, 106.7 The Fan/Caps Radio 24/7)
Nov. 7, 8 p.m. ET vs. Edmonton (NBCSW, 106.7 The Fan/Caps Radio 24/7)
Nov. 9, 7:30 p.m. ET vs. Pittsburgh (TNT, 106.7 The Fan/Caps Radio 24/7)
Nov. 11, 7 p.m. ET vs. Vegas (NBCSW, NHLN, 106.7 The Fan/Caps Radio 24/7)
TONIGHT’S GAME
The Capitals host the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday at Capital One Arena for the first of two meetings between the teams this season. Washington is 2-5-1 all-time vs. Vegas in regular season play. The two teams met in the 2018 Stanley Cup Final, with the Capitals defeating the Golden Knights in five games to capture the franchise’s first Stanley Cup. In 2021-22, Washington dropped the season series with Vegas 0-1-1, losing two one-goal games. Alex Ovechkin led the Capitals with three points (2g, 1a) in two games against the Golden Knights last season.
HOME vs. VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
Record Goals For Goals Against Streak
2-2-0 13 9 1 VGK win (1/24/22)
CAPITALS vs. GOLDEN KNIGHTS ALL-TIME (CAREER TOTALS)
Games Goals Assists Points
Strome (13) Ovechkin (5) Kuznetsov (7) Kuznetsov (10) Hathaway (12 ) Backstrom/Strome/Mantha (4) Strome/Orlov (5) Strome (9) Dowd/Gustafsson/Johansson (9) Kuznetsov/Oshie (3) Carlson/Johansson (5) Brown (9)
IN THE ZONE
Alex Ovechkin – 2 game point streak (2g), 2 game goal streak (2g)
Nick Jensen – 2 game point streak (2a), 2 game assist streak (2)
Conor Sheary – 2 game point streak (2g), 2 game goal streak (2g)
TOP CAPS FACTS
HistOvi
- Alex Ovechkin scored his fifth goal of the season on Monday against Carolina, his second-straight game with a goal.
- It marked the 265th go-ahead goal of Ovechkin’s career, passing Brett Hull (264) for sole possession of the most in NHL history (courtesy of NHL Stats).
- It also marked the 399th goal he’s scored on the road, which trails only Wayne Gretzky (402) for the most in League history (courtesy of NHL Stats).
- Ovechkin now sits 17 goals shy of passing Howe (801) for second place on the NHL’s all-time goals list and two goals shy of passing Howe’s mark for the most goals scored by a player with a single franchise (Howe: 786 goals with Detroit).
- Ovechkin, who has recorded a team-high eight points (5g, 3a) in 10 games this season, is three points shy of passing Adam Oates and Sidney Crosby (1,420) for the 19th-most points in NHL history.
Penalty Skill
- The Capitals have killed off 18 of 19 power plays over their last five games (94.7 percent).
- Washington killed off 5 of six Carolina power plays on Monday, including power plays within the final two minutes of regulation and in overtime.
- Washington’s 81.8 penalty kill percentage this season ranks eighth in the NHL.
Nick of Time
- Nick Jensen recorded an assist on Monday against Carolina, his second-straight game with an assist.
- Jensen logged 26:02 of ice time on Monday, the fourth highest single-game total of his career and the highest since joining the Capitals in February 2019.
- Jensen has recorded seven points (1g, 6a) in 10 games this season, which ranks tied for second on the Capitals.
- Jensen’s six assists are tied with Evgeny Kuznetsov for the team lead.
- Jensen has been on the ice for 11 of Washington’s 21 goals for at five-on-five this season, the most of any Capitals skater.
- Through 10 games, Jensen has recorded a 64.71 goals for percentage at five-on-five (11 goals for, six against), which ranks fourth in the NHL among defensemen with at least 170 minutes of ice time at five-on-five (courtesy of Natural Stat Trick).
- Jensen leads Washington in shorthanded ice time per game (2:55) and ranks third on the team in total ice time per game (20:39).
Terrific Tandem
- Darcy Kuemper started all three games of the Capitals’ recent road trip, posting a 1.33 goals-against average and a .958 save percentage with one shutout.
- Kuemper ranks first in the NHL in goals-against average (2.39) and save percentage (.922) among goaltenders with at least eight games played.
- In 15 career games vs. Vegas, Kuemper has a record of 6-5-3 with a 2.08 goals-against average and a .937 save percentage.
- Charlie Lindgren has started two games for the Capitals this season, going 1-1-0 with a 3.09 goals-against average and a .925 sav percentage.
- Lindgren recorded his first win as a Capital on Oct. 24 against New Jersey, stopping 38 of 41 shots faced. His 74 combined saves through two games this season is the second most through a goaltender’s first two career contests with the Capitals behind Gary Inness in 1978-79 (76) (courtesy of NHL Stats).
- Lindgren’s only previous start vs. Vegas came on Nov. 7, 2017 as a member of the Montreal Canadiens, when he stopped 29 of 31 shots faced in a 3-2 Canadiens win.
Carly Climbing
- John Carlson is one point shy of passing Michal Pivonka for the fifth-most points in Capitals franchise history and becoming the first defenseman in franchise history to reach the 600-point mark.
- When Carlson passes Pivonka, Washington will be one of three franchises (excluding Seattle and Vegas) to have three active players rank in the top-five on their all-time points list (Washington: Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Carlson; Pittsburgh: Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang; Tampa Bay: Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman).
- Carlson is also four games shy of 900 career games, where he would become the sixth player to play 900 or more games with Washington, joining current teammates Ovechkin and Backstrom, and alumni Calle Johansson, Peter Bondra and Kelly Miller.
Lavi Moving Up
- Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette recorded his 722nd career win on Saturday against Nashville, tying him with Alain Vigneault (722) for the eighth-most wins in NHL history.
- Laviolette has a career record of 722-471-25-140 (.593 point percentage) and a 85-46-17 (.632 point percentage) record with Washington.
- Laviolette’s career .593 point percentage is the fourth highest among the NHL’s top-10 winningest coaches all-time (Scotty Bowman: .657; Joel Quenneville: .612; Ken Hitchcock: .599).
- Among active head coaches with 1,000 or more games coached, only Bruce Boudreau’s career point percentage is higher (.633).
Did You Know?
- The Capitals are 2-0-0 against Pacific Division opponents this season.
- Washington’s 312 hits this season are the most in the NHL.
- Martin Fehervary logged 23:35 of ice time on Monday against Carolina, the third highest single-game total of his career, and recorded a career high five shots.
- Eighteen of the 22 skaters the Capitals have dressed this season have recorded at least one point.
REAL TIME LEADERS
Goals: Alex Ovechkin – 5
Assists: Evgeny Kuznetsov, Nick Jensen – 6
Points: Alex Ovechkin – 8
Shots: Alex Ovechkin – 42
Hits: Martin Fehervary – 38
Blocked Shots: John Carlson – 21
TOI Per Game: Dmitry Orlov – 22:16
