The Vegas Golden Knights (13-6-8) host the New York Rangers (15-12-3) in a Pacific-Metropolitan clash at T-Mobile Arena, where the Knights aim to snap a three-game skid against a Rangers team that’s won four of its last six, including a 5-2 dismantling of Pittsburgh on Friday. Vegas, clinging to third in the Pacific with a +14 goal differential, has leaned on their stingy defense (2.68 GA/G, 8th in NHL) but struggled offensively (3.05 GF/G, 15th) amid injuries to key forwards. The Rangers, fourth in the Metro, boast a potent top line (3.42 GF/G, 7th) but rank 22nd in GA/G (3.12), vulnerable on the road (6-7-2). This rematch of the 2023 Finalists—Vegas won that series in five—promises intensity, with the Knights’ home-ice advantage (8-2-4) tested by New York’s rush game in a potential playoff tune-up.
Game Details
Puckdrop: 10:00 p.m. ET
Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada (capacity: 17,500)
Broadcast: TNT, SN360, MSG, Scripps Sports
This late-night West Coast tilt closes out the weekend slate, with Vegas opening a four-game homestand (elite 8-2-4 at home) and the Rangers wrapping a three-game road trip (3-5-1 away). The Vegas faithful have witnessed 3.2 GF/G in home wins, fueling the electric atmosphere.
Injury Report
Vegas’s forward corps is battered, missing scoring punch, while New York’s blue line takes hits that could expose their transitions. The Knights have logged 89 man-games lost, impacting depth.
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury | Estimated Return | Notes |
| Vegas Golden Knights | Jack Eichel | C | Day-to-Day (Probable) | Lower Body | December 7 | Captain (12G-18A in 23GP); full practice Saturday—expected to play but managed minutes. |
| Vegas Golden Knights | Tomas Hertl | C | Injured Reserve | Knee (Surgery) | January 10, 2026 | 4G-5A before injury; second-line anchor out 20+ games. |
| Vegas Golden Knights | William Carrier | LW | Injured Reserve | Upper Body | December 14 | Bottom-six physicality; 2G-3A in 15GP. |
| Vegas Golden Knights | Jakub Brabenec | C | Injured Reserve | Shoulder | February 2026 | Prospect; no NHL games yet. |
| New York Rangers | Ryan Lindgren | D | Out | Lower Body | December 12 | Shutdown pair with Schneider; 1G-4A in 18GP, +3 rating. |
| New York Rangers | K’Andre Miller | D | Day-to-Day | Concussion Protocol | December 7 | 0G-6A; practiced but cleared for contact—likely plays. |
| New York Rangers | Artemi Panarin | LW | Day-to-Day (Doubtful) | Upper Body | December 9 | Star winger (14G-20A); missed Friday’s game—lineup decision pending. |
| New York Rangers | Blake Wheeler | RW | Injured Reserve | Lower Body | January 2026 | Veteran leader; 3G-7A in 20GP before injury. |
| New York Rangers | Igor Shesterkin | G | Out | Groin | December 16 | Backup Jonathan Quick starts back-to-back; Shesterkin 11-7-2, .910 SV%. |
Impact: Eichel’s return bolsters Vegas’s top line, but Hertl’s absence caps secondary scoring. Rangers without Panarin drops output to 2.8 GF/G; Lindgren’s void forces Zac Jones into 20+ minutes.
Key Player Matchups
Vegas’s structured D meets New York’s speed—expect forecheck battles and power-play duels (VGK 22.1%, NYR 19.8%). Injuries elevate depth tilts.
Mark Stone (VGK, RW) vs. Mika Zibanejad (NYR, C): Stone (11G-14A-25P) captains the shutdown line with physicality (+8); Zibanejad (13G-16A-29P) owns the net-front (team-high 9 PPG). Stone’s board work neutralizes. Edge: Stone—defensive edge.
Jonathan Marchessault (VGK, RW) vs. Adam Fox (NYR, D): Marchessault (10G-12A) hunts pucks relentlessly (Conn Smythe pedigree); Fox (4G-18A-22P, 24:15 TOI) quarterbacks transitions but -4 lately without Lindgren. Edge: Marchessault—finishing touch.
William Karlsson (VGK, C) vs. Vincent Trocheck (NYR, C): Karlsson (9G-11A) centers the third line with faceoff prowess (52%); Trocheck (8G-13A) grinds penalties (team-high hits). Even faceoff battle. Edge: Even—two-way reliability.
Goalie Duel: Adin Hill (VGK) vs. Jonathan Quick (NYR): Hill (8-4-3, 2.45 GAA, .915 SV%) thrives at home (6-2-2); Quick (7-5-1, 2.98 GAA, .889 SV%) spotty in back-to-backs (2-3-1). Edge: Hill—Vegas’s net strength.
Projected Lines (Subject to change):
Golden Knights: Roy-Eichel-Stone | Barbashev-Karlsson-Marchessault | Howden-Roy-Roest | Carrier-Hill | McNabb-Theodore | Hague-Hague
Rangers: Kreider-Zibanejad-Panarin (if active) | Lafreniere-Trocheck-Kakko | Cuylle-Goodrow-Brodeur | Schneider-Fox | Trouba-Schneider
Team Records and Standings
| Team | Record | Points | Goal Diff. | Home/Away | Division Rank |
| Vegas Golden Knights | 13-6-8 | 34 | +14 | 8-2-4 Home / 5-4-4 Away | 3rd Pacific |
| New York Rangers | 15-12-3 | 33 | +8 | 9-5-1 Home / 6-7-2 Away | 4th Metro |
Knights 8th in GA/G (2.68), 15th PK (80.2%); Rangers 7th GF/G (3.42), 22nd GA/G (3.12), 12th PP (19.8%).
Recent Team Forms
Vegas’s skid stems from offensive droughts (2.0 GF/G L3), while New York’s surge rides third-period comebacks (12 GF L6).
Golden Knights Last 5 Games (2-3-0):
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Notes |
| Dec. 5 | vs. MTL | L 2-4 | Hill pulled; 0/3 PP, outshot 32-25. |
| Dec. 3 | @ SJS | W 3-1 | Stone GWG; strong PK (4/4). |
| Dec. 1 | vs. WSH | L 1-3 | Low-event; 28 SOG insufficient. |
| Nov. 29 | @ LAK | L 4-5 (OT) | Marchessault 2G; OT loss after rally. |
| Nov. 28 | vs. CBJ | W 5-2 | Offensive pop; 2 PP goals. |
Rangers Last 5 Games (3-2-0):
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Notes |
| Dec. 5 | vs. PIT | W 5-2 | Zibanejad 2G; 3/4 PP clinic. |
| Dec. 3 | @ NJD | W 4-3 (SO) | Trocheck SO hero; resilient road. |
| Dec. 1 | vs. PHI | L 2-3 | Quick .875 SV%; late collapse. |
| Nov. 29 | @ BOS | W 3-2 | Kreider GWG; outshot 35-28. |
| Nov. 27 | vs. NYI | L 1-4 | Defensive woes; 1/5 PK. |
Knights 4-4-2 L10 (2.8 GF/G); Rangers 6-3-1 L10 (3.4 GF/G).
Series History
These 2023 Cup foes have met 18 times (regular + playoffs), with Vegas holding a 10-8 edge overall (55.6% win rate), including 9-7 in regular season (56.3%). The Knights won the ’23 Final 4-1, but New York owns recent regular-season tilts: 3-1 in last 4, including 5-1 at MSG on Oct. 15, 2025. Vegas dominates at home (6-2 SU vs. NYR), outscoring Rangers 28-20 in T-Mobile. Average: 6.1 goals/game; no meetings since March.
Betting Trends
Puck Line: VGK covers 50% as home faves.
Total (O/U): 5.5 (Over -110; Under -110) – Under 6-3 in Vegas’ last 9 home; Rangers 4-1 Under L5 road.
Trends: Knights 0-3 SU L3 but 8-2 SU L10 home; Rangers 3-1 SU L4 H2H. NYR 7-3 SU last 10 vs. Pacific.
Game Odds
Vegas Golden Knights – 170
New York Rangers 5.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, December 6, 2025
