VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS NOTES:
GOLDEN KNIGHTS UPCOMING GAMES
Golden Knights 2022-23 Record: 9-2-0, 18 points (5-1-0 at Home, 4-1-0 on Road)
DATE OPPONENT TELEVISION RADIO SPANISH
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 ESPN+/Hulu Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM None
Nov. 12 vs. St. Louis Blues AT&T SportsNet Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM Deportes Vegas 1460 AM
GOLDEN KNIGHTS LAST GAME RECAP
November 1 – Vegas Golden Knights 3, Washington Capitals 2 (OT)
Shea Theodore scored at 1:35 of overtime to propel the Vegas Golden Knights (9-2-0) to a 3-2 win against the Washington Capitals (5-4-2) on Tuesday night at Capital One Arena. Washington used an early power play to its advantage as Marcus Johansson opened the scoring at 3:39 of the first period. Late in the frame, Jack Eichel scored a power play goal of his own to knot the score at 1-1. Early in the second period, Trevor van Riemsdyk snuck a shot through traffic and gave the Capitals a 2-1 lead. With 5:56 to play in the third, William Carrier fired home his second goal of the season to tie the game up at 2-2. Early in the extra session, Eichel set up Theodore who chipped the puck by Charlie Lindgren to cement the 3-2 win for the Golden Knights. Vegas has now outscored their opponents 9-1 in the 3rd period and OT during their five-game winning streak.
LAST GAME BY THE NUMBERS
- Theodore’s seventh OT goal with VGK (eighth overall career), new franchise high
- Eichel (1G, 1A) records his fifth multi-point game of the season, 3rd consecutive game with a point
- Alex Pietrangelo assists on all three goals to establish a personal season-high, his 9A on the season lead all NHL defensemen
- Carrier records his second goal of the season
- Logan Thompson earns his first overtime win of the season, the second of his career
- Thompson tallies his third straight win in net, his longest streak of the season (personal best is 5 games 3/24/22-4/14/22)
- Vegas’ victory extends its record against WSH to 7-2-0, and records its second consecutive overtime win against the club
- Vegas improves to 9-2-0 on their 2022-23 campaign and extends their win streak to five games
Déjà vu
Shea Theodore secured the win for Vegas on Tuesday night in a nail-biting, overtime battle against the Washington Capitals. Sound familiar? Tuesday’s contest marks the second consecutive meeting the Golden Knights and Capitals have required extra time and Theodore has owned the game-deciding goal in each (last 4/20/22). Theodore’s overtime heroics marks his seventh goal in extra time as a Golden Knight (eighth in his career), setting a new franchise high. Theodore’s performance early this season has placed him as a top performer in a pair of categories in the league. Theodore owns a +12 rating, leading all players in the NHL. Second to him is teammate, Jack Eichel (+9). Additionally, Theodore is tied for fifth in the league for most points by a defenseman so far this season with eight total points. During Vegas’ five-game win streak, Theodore has recorded five points in four of the five contests (2G, 3A). Theodore became a Golden Knight in the 2017 expansion draft and since joining the club the defenseman has appeared in 353 games totaling 214 points (56G, 158A). During his time in Vegas, Theodore holds several records with the club including most games played (353), goals (56), assists (158), points, and game-winning goals (12) by a defenseman.
Jack of All Trades
Jack Eichel recorded two more points for the Golden Knights in another overtime victory against the Washington Capitals. Eichel leads Vegas in points with 12 in 11 games (5G, 7A). The forward has recorded at least one point in seven of Vegas’ 11 games, including five multi-point games. Eichel netted his fifth goal of the season on Tuesday to get Vegas even with Washington late in the first period. Eichel has proven himself to be a threat in 3v3 play, recording a point in both of the Golden Knights’ overtime wins. Prior to Tuesday’s game, the forward scored his fourth goal of the season to put Vegas on top in overtime against the Winnipeg 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 45 games, posting 37 points (19G, 18A).
Golden Knights Point Leaders:
- Jack Eichel – 12 (5G, 7A)
- Chandler Stephenson – 9 (4G, 5A)
Alex Pietrangelo – 9 (0G, 9A) - Jonathan Marchessault – 8 (5G, 3A)
William Karlsson – 8 (4G, 4A)
Mark Stone – 8 (3G, 5A)
Shea Theodore – 8 (3G, 5A)
Comeback Kids
The Golden Knights have had a dominant start to their 2022-23 campaign, posting a 9-2-0 record, leading the Pacific Division, and sitting second overall in the league. Outscoring their opponents 35 to 19 in eleven games, the Golden Knights have not allowed more than three goals in a game by their opponents. Vegas has now won five consecutive games, outscoring the opposition 16 to 6, having not lost a game since they faced Colorado on October 22. Despite their commanding start, the Golden Knights have recently had to climb back after trailing their opponents late into regulation. The Golden Knights have extended back-to-back games to overtime to earn the win. Most recently, Vegas bested the Washington Capitals in overtime on Tuesday night at Capital One Arena after trailing for much of the contest. Vegas has not led an opponent once in their last two games after their commanding 4-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks on October 28.
Cassidy’s Early Success
The Vegas Golden Knights reached nine wins in eleven games on Tuesday night with a victory against the Washington Capitals. With this victory, this is the earliest the club has reached nine wins at the start of the season in franchise history (previously 12 games 2019-20 season). This is the first season that Bruce Cassidy is at the helm for Vegas and so far, the Golden Knights have had early success as they continue to lead the Pacific Division and hold the overall number two spot in the league behind Cassidy’s previous organization, the Boston Bruins (now coached by Jim Montgomery). The top two teams in the NHL have a new head coach, this is the earliest that that has been the case in a season in NHL history and the first time since the 1939-40 season. Cooney Weiland and Frank Boucher had the Bruins and Rangers as the No. 1 and No. 2-ranked clubs, respectively, after 146 contests in a 168-game NHL season. After serving 399 games behind the Bruins’ bench from 2016-17 to 2021-22, Cassidy led the Golden Knights to an 8-2-0 ten-game start as he looks to help his new club return to the postseason after their first miss in 2021-22. 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 +16-goal differential. Boston and Vegas are the only clubs in the league to have reached 9 wins this season. Cassidy is the first head coach in NHL history to win at least eight of his first 10 games with multiple franchises as he also began 8-2-0 with Boston in 2016-17. Cassidy also recently reached 300 wins as a coach in the NHL, making him the 12th winningest active head coach in the league, behind former Vegas head coach Gerard Gallant (328 wins).
Making the Minutes Count
Alex Pietrangelo has consistently been the leader in time-on-ice for the Golden Knights so far this season. The defenseman averages 23:31 minutes of ice time per game and ranks fifth in the league with a combined total time of 258:36 minutes in eleven games. During his time on the ice, Pietrangelo leads the Golden Knights in assists with nine total which is the most of any defenseman in the NHL. Most recently, Pietrangelo (0-3-3) factored on two goals, including the game-tying tally and overtime winner, to record his 397th career assist, surpassing Mark Giordano (395) for the ninth most assists among active defensemen. Each of the games that Pietrangelo has recorded a point in, the Golden Knights have won. Additionally, Pietrangelo is ranked fourth on the team in blocked shots (24) and tenth in hits (12). This is Pietrangelo’s third season with the club, skating in 132 games and recording 76 points (20G, 56A).
NHL TOI Leaders:
- Drew Doughty LAK – 319:37
- Erik Karlsson SJS – 285:25
- Mario Ferraro SJS – 281:23
- Adam Fox NYR – 269:57
- Alex Pietrangelo VGK – 258:36
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.
Stingy Knights
The Golden Knights’ goaltender tandem of Logan Thompson and Adin Hill is the best in the NHL, as Vegas leads in team defense, allowing just 1.73 goals per game – more than half a goal less than the next closest team (Dallas, 2.30 goals allowed per game). Thompson and Hill are both in the top five for save percentage and goal-allowed-average in the league for a combined .939 save percentage. With a 9-2-0 record, each of Vegas’ losses have been by one goal and no team has scored more than three goals against the club. Last season, the Golden Knights ranked 15th in the league in team defense (2.98 goals allowed per game). Thompson was between the pipes for Vegas on Tuesday night as the club faced the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena. The netminder saved 19 of 21 shots faced, good for a .905 save percentage to secure his first overtime victory of the season and second of his career. Prior to Tuesday’s victory, the last time Thompson was in net he recorded his second shutout of the season, the third of his career, in a 4-0 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on October 28. Thompson required the fewest games (6GP) in Golden Knights history to record his second shutout of the season, besting the previous mark set by former Vegas goaltender Marc-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 5-2-0 on the year, posting a 1.73 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage. Hill remains unbeaten in net for the Golden Knights after Vegas’ victory against the Winnipeg Jets on October 30. Hill stopped 23 of 24 shots on the night, posting a .958 save percentage. This was the second time Hill had 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.
Top 5 NHL Goaltender GAA:
- Jake Oettinger DAL – 1.40
- Stuart Skinner EDM – 1.59
- Craig Anderson BUF – 1.66
- Adin Hill VGK – 1.72
- Logan Thompson VGK – 1.73
Top 5 NHL Team GAA:
- Vegas Golden Knights – 1.73
- Dallas Stars – 2.30
- Philadelphia Flyers – 2.44
- New Yorker Rangers – 2.50
New Jersey Devils – 2.50 - Boston Bruins – 2.60
Five in a Row
Vegas’ five-game winning streak matches its longest from last season, which was accomplished twice (most recently March 24 to April 3, 2022).
Balancing Act
While Vegas doesn’t have a skater among the league’s top 15 scorers (Jack Eichel ranks T-17th with 12 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 1,215 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 70 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 (11). 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 three 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.
Against the Senators
The Vegas Golden Knights have had a decided edge in regular season play against the Ottawa Senators (7-1-0 in 8 GP). The last time the Golden Knights skated at the Canadian Tire Centre, Vegas walked away with a dominant 5-1 victory against the Senators (goals by: Carrier, Howden, Marchessault (2), and Pietrangelo). Vegas has a 4.00 goal average per game against Ottawa and has won six in a row in the series (last loss 3/2/2018).
2022-23 Season OTT Series: 0-0-0 (Home: 0-0-0, Road: 0-0-0)
Nov. 3 – at Ottawa
Nov. 23 – at Vegas
2021-22 Season OTT Series: 2-0-0 (Home: 1-0-0, Road: 1-0-0)
Nov. 4 – at Ottawa (Vegas 5, Ottawa 1)
Mar. 6 – at Vegas (Vegas 2, Ottawa 1)
OTTAWA SENATORS NOTES:
LAST GAME: Nov. 1, 4-3 loss at Tampa Bay: Kucherov recorded a game high three points (one goal, two assists) including the game winning marker at 17:30 of the third period to send Tampa Bay to a 4-3 victory at AMALIE Arena. The goal saw Kucherov become the third player in NHL history to score a go-ahead goal during the final 2:30 of regulation in consecutive games. Gambrell opened the scoring for the visitors in his first game of the season which saw Tampa Bay head into the first intermission down at least one goal for the first time this year. The sides would alternate goals from there as Sergachev, Killorn and Point found the back of the net for Tampa Bay while Joseph (with the Senators down three players to five) and Giroux replied for Ottawa. Vasilevskiy turned aside 12 shots in earning the win for Tampa Bay while Forsberg made 30 saves to take the loss for the Senators. Scratches: Brassard, Heatherington; Injuries: Norris, Talbot, Zub; Shots: OTT – 15, TBL – 34; PP: OTT – 0-3, TBL – 1-8.
BROADCAST INFORMATION: This evening’s game against Vegas will be broadcast regionally on TSN5 and RDS2. On the radio, the game will be available locally via TSN 1200 (English) and 94,5 Unique-FM (French).
WHAT’S NEXT: Ottawa continues a three-game homestand against Philadelphia on Saturday at 7 p.m. The contest will mark the first of three regular-season meetings and the first of two matchups at Canadian Tire Centre.
INJURY REPORT: C Norris, G Talbot and D Zub are on IR and will not oppose the Golden Knights this evening. Total man-games lost: 16.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS: Re-assigned D Heatherington to Belleville on Nov. 2.
OTTAWA vs. VEGAS – History:
2022-23 (0-0-0): Nov. 3 @ Ottawa; Nov. 23 @ Vegas
2021-22 (0-2-0): 11/4/21 @ Ottawa (5-1 loss), 3/6/22 @ Vegas (2-1 loss)
Series record: Overall: 1-5-0-2; Home: 0-4-0-0; Away: 1-1-0-2
Last Ottawa win: @ Ottawa: None; @ Vegas: 3/2/18 (5-4)
Last Vegas win: @ Ottawa: 11/4/21 (5-1); @ Vegas: 3/6/22 (2-1)
Last OT result: 10/28/18 (4-3 OT loss) @ Vegas
Last shootout: 10/17/19 (3-2 SO loss) @ Vegas
Most goals, game: Scored: 5, (3/2/18, 5-4 win); Allowed: 5, (3x, Last: 11/4/21, 5-1 loss); Both teams: 9, (2x, Last: 3/2/18, 5-4 win)
Last Game: 3/6/22, 2-1 loss @ Vegas; OTT Goal: Tkachuk; VGK Goals: Marchessault, Eichel; OTT Scratches: Ennis, Heatherington, Mete; OTT Injuries: Batherson, Murray, Pinto, Tierney; OTT Goalie: Forsberg; VGK Goalie: Lehner; OTT PP: 1-2; VGK PP: 1-2; Shots: 40-42.
Career vs. Vegas: Brassard leads all players in career games played (16) and is tied in assists with Chabot and DeBrincat (five); DeBrincat leads in goals (four) and in points (nine); Hamonic leads in penalty minutes (13) against Vegas.
SWEATER WEATHER: The Senators enter their third season of wearing a primary logo which sees the organization return to its roots with the implementation of the modified original “2D” logo. The team has earned a 59-72-11 all-time record (4-5-0 this season) while wearing its current sweater. Ottawa unveiled their Reverse Retro jersey on Oct. 20 and will wear the sweater on five occasions in 2022-23 (0-0-0 this season). The Senators hold an all-time record of 112-75-7-25 when wearing an alternate; 27-19-2-5 when wearing a red alternate, 84-55-5-19 when wearing a black alternate and 1-1-0-1 when wearing a cream alternate.
HOME ON THE RANGE: Ottawa has a record of 4-1-0 at home this season … Shane Pinto and Brady Tkachuk are the Senators leaders with four goals at home while Drake Batherson maintains the club lead with six assists at Canadian Tire Centre … Through five home games, Batherson and Tkachuk lead the team with nine points on home ice … The Senators earned a record of 15-22-4 at home through 41 home contests in 2021-22.
ROAD SCHOLARS: The Senators have a record of 0-4-0 on the road this season … Claude Giroux, Pinto and Tkachuk lead with two goals on the road this season while Batherson, Giroux and Jake Sanderson rank first with two assists while the Senators serve as visitors … Through four road games this season, Giroux maintains the club lead with four points … The Senators registered an 18-20-3 record over 41 road contests in 2021-22.
FRANCHISE RECORD: Ottawa has posted an all-time record of 1,008-987-115-176 over 2,286 games … The Senators are 552-436- 60-97 through 1,145 all-time home games and 456-551-55-79 through 1,141 all-time road games.
BACK-TO-BACK GAMES: Ottawa will play back-to-back games on 12 occasions in 2022-23 and will do so for the first time on Dec. 2 when the team visits the N.Y. Rangers ahead of welcoming San Jose to Canadian Tire Centre the following evening … The Senators played 17 back-to-back sets last season and earned a record of 6-9-2 in the first half of contests on consecutive nights (0-0-0 this season) while posting an 8-8-1 record (0-0-0 this season) in the second half of games on consecutive days.
ON THE POWER PLAY: The Senators are seven for 30 (23.3%) on the power-play in 2022-23 … Batherson, Thomas Chabot and Pinto lead with two power-play goals while Batherson and Tkachuk maintain the club lead with four points while the team enjoys a man advantage … Ottawa has recorded multiple power-play goals once in an individual contest in 2022-23 after having done so 11 times in 2021-22.
ON THE PENALTY KILL: Ottawa has overcome 29 of the 37 occasions the team has been shorthanded in 2022-23 to maintain an efficiency of 78.4% through nine regular-season games … The team has registered one (Joseph) shorthanded marker this season after recording nine such goals in 2021-22.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
COACH SMITH: D.J. Smith was introduced as the Senators’ 14th head coach in franchise history on 5/23/19. A native of Windsor, Ont., Smith spent the four previous NHL seasons as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Prior to joining the Maple Leafs (which was also the team for which he made his NHL playing debut in 1996-97), Smith guided the Ontario Hockey League’s Oshawa Generals to a record of 135-53-3-13 over three campaigns which included his having been recognized as the OHL’s Coach of the Year in 2013- 14. One year later, he helped the team capture the Mastercard Memorial Cup. His 85 head coaching victories with Ottawa see him rank sixth in franchise history.
SECOND SEASON AS CAPTAIN FOR CHUCKY: Two-time NHL All-Star Brady Tkachuk was appointed the 10th captain in Senators franchise history on 11/5/21. A native of St. Louis, Tkachuk succeeded Erik Karlsson who served in the role for four seasons from 2014-15 to 2017-18. The bronze medal winner with Team U.S.A. at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship is the first American-born skater to serve as team captain. Tkachuk is assisted by full-time alternates Thomas Chabot and Claude Giroux.
PINTO IS TOP ROOKIE: Senators forward Shane Pinto was recognized as October’s Rookie of the Month on Tuesday after leading all first-year skaters in goals (six) while pacing the entire league in shooting percentage (42.9%). Scoring in five straight games from Oct. 15 to Oct. 24, he set the franchise record for longest goal streak by a rookie while establishing the longest streak for any rookie since Kirill Kaprizov tallied in six straight games during the 2020-21 campaign. Averaging 0.75 goals-per-game, Pinto posted the second-best rate during the month of October of any rookie since 1993-94 (Elias Pettersson, 0.88 in October 2018). He becomes the first Ottawa skater to receive the award since Tim Stützle was recognized as the Rookie of the Month in February 2021.
ALL-TIME LEADERS: Chris Phillips is the Senators’ all-time leader in games played (1,179) … Daniel Alfredsson leads in goals (426), assists (682) and points (1,108) … Following Phillips is Alfredsson (1,178), Chris Neil (1,026), Wade Redden (838), Radek Bonk (689), Jason Spezza (686) and Mike Fisher (675) … Neil leads in penalty minutes (2,522) while Patrick Lalime holds the lead in shutouts (30) and ranks second (283) to Craig Anderson (435) in games played among goaltenders. Anderson leads in wins (202).
