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W.G. Ramirez

WillieGRamirez@THNews

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Willie Ramirez has been a sports writer covering Southern Nevada spanning four decades. He is currently a correspondent for The Associated Press and is the Las Vegas-based reporter covering the Vegas Golden Knights for The Hockey News.

Joined at Nov 29, 2024

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W.G. Ramirez·11h·Partner

Former Golden Knight Jonathan Marchessault: "It's Definitely Been A Hard Season For Me ... Mental Health (Has Been) Challenging"

NASHVILLE -- It was during training camp when Predators veteran forward Jonathan Marchessault was getting ready to board a flight to Quebec for a jersey retirement ceremony and his brother called with news nobody ever wants to receive. Their mother, Leslie, had suffered a heart attack and died at the age of 70. A celebration to commemorate a career with 98 goals and 239 points in 254 games during his time with the Quebec Ramparts was suddenly dampened. "It was just a tough situation; it's super sad how it happened, but you just learn to keep going," Marchessault said during a conversation with The Hockey News, one day before the Vegas Golden Knights, his former team, would visit. "It was the first time I would see all the family without my mom there. So that was a mix of emotions, which was kind of weird, a little bit. We managed to have a good time still and tried to enjoy the recognition that the Ramparts were giving me, because ... it was a super great honor." As the lovable 33-year-old spark plug watched his No. 18 jersey rise to honor him, one had to wonder if he was glancing beyond the rafters, knowing his mother was smiling from above. It's how the toughest campaign the 12-year veteran has ever endured began. "It's definitely been a hard season for me, personally," said Marchessault, who still holds Vegas' franchise record with 192 goals, and also 42 power-play goals. "I didn't expect the move to be that big, in terms of (draining my) energy. ... I think it was just a really tough summer, to be honest. Not a lot of time for me and my wife to just relax and enjoy life a little bit. So it's been definitely overwhelming. "Mental health (has been) challenging this year. But if you look at my past, and the way I'm built and all that, I will bounce back." That, is unquestionable. HIS ROCK If not for his wife, Alexandra, there's no telling how Marchessault would have handled things. After spending Vegas' first seven seasons in the NHL as a member of the Golden Knights, the "original misfit" who hoisted the Conn Smythe trophy after leading the team to a Stanley Cup in 2023 was moving on. Marchessault signed with the Predators, inking a five-year, $27.5 million contract that gave him the stability he was looking for as he reaches the backside of his career. Though he'd hoped to retire a Golden Knight, the veteran winger whose heart and spirit outweigh his (listed) 5-foot-9 frame has been around long enough to know how the business works. "And that's something that I really loved about Vegas - they're a hard team, a hard organization - they do everything what's best for their success," he said. "And despite anything, they always think of their success. And if one day I'm going to be a GM, I'm going to run things like that, too. I'm going to make the things that I need to do to become the best team on the ice. And I think that's one of their best qualities that they have." He also knew - and has known for 10 years now - that when he leaves the rink after a game or practice, first and foremost he's a family man. A doting father, Marchessault and his wife had one son when they arrived in Vegas in 2017. They now have four children: 10-year-old James, Victoria (9), William (6) and Henry (5). And when he lost his mother just before his first season with the Predators, it was his family that provided a perfect diversion he needed. Going to the rink and focusing on a new coaching staff and new teammates was one thing, but having his family was what mattered. Seeing his boys play hockey brought back fond memories of his time in youth hockey, leading up to those junior days in Quebec. Having his wife by his side proved invaluable. "I have a pretty busy household already, and that kept me going," Marchessault said. "My wife is the best ... we have so much stuff to do every day. We are a growing family. We've got kids that move a lot. I mean, the way that my wife does things, like she's hard on herself, and she makes my life so much easier on everything. And I think that's what saved me this year, I would say, is how she stepped up. She's always stepping up, but she stepped up and made it easier for me to adapt and get into my groove here. "(And) something that I love is just being a dad. My mom was super family-oriented, and that's something that I probably got from her. Me and my wife are really into (parenting) and all that kind of stuff and definitely enjoy following the passion of our kids." THE BOUNCE With perceived clarity for the upcoming offseason, Marchessault's bounce-back will begin in roughly two weeks. He arrived in Nashville after seven winning seasons in Vegas, six of them reaching the playoffs, and knew the Predators had expectations with him being a major acquisition last summer and a key part to a new-look offense that also included incoming Steven Stamkos, who won a Stanley Cup in Tampa. "And we didn't reach that this year, so obviously, that's disappointing," said Marchessault, the only player in Golden Knights history with more than 400 points, sitting No. 1 with 417. "And I've never had necessarily a season like that, the bottom of the league, it's been tough." Nashville was officially eliminated from the playoffs this past week, and with 10 games left, coach Andrew Brunette has come to appreciate Marchessault for all he's been through while still maintaining poise and dignity as one of the most competitive personalities in the NHL. From leaving Vegas, to the jersey retirement, to losing his mother, to getting accustomed to new line combinations while trying to find his cadence and rhythm with a new group, Brunette said he understood why it was disjointed from the start. "And he's mentally been strong where he's still going to do what Marchy is going to do, and I think he's hung in there," Brunette said. "He's come to work every day. He hasn't really taken some time off. He went right at it. And I think right now he's probably looking forward to getting through the end here and regrouping. I think it's been a real tough year on him, both personally and the (team) change ... and those are hard times to adjust to, so he's hung in there. "I'm hoping these next 10 games he gets a good feeling going into the off-season." Marchessault said having a veteran group of players in the locker room eased the transition, while helping him fall in love with Nashville. "That was the easy part," he said. "In the world of hockey, I've yet to meet a lot of guys that weren't great guys to be around, so that was the easy part. I think the guys are so inviting. And it starts with the leadership group ... it's just like the older guys are good people. So I think it just goes down the lineup to make it easier for everybody. And we do team bonding stuff, like we do with other teams, so that was definitely the easy part." Nashville star Filip Forsberg has enjoyed Marchessault's presence, and has also been impressed by what he overcame while making the transition from Vegas to Nashville. "Just the personality that he's got, he's a great guy who comes in every day and puts a smile on his face; he's up to some mischief and things like that," Forsberg said with a chuckle. "I think he's been a great teammate. It certainly cannot have been easy for him ... I think just being able to get to know him, it's been real good so far." Though the offseason can't come soon enough, so he can prepare for the 2025-26 season and help the Predators get back to playoff-caliber hockey, Marchessault said he's looking forward to seeing Vegas' fans for the first time since signing in Nashville. Nashville will play its final road game in Vegas, which happens to be the Golden Knights' home finale, and Marchessault has seen plenty of emotional video tributes to former players to understand what's coming. "I was just with (former Knight) Will Carrier this week in Carolina, and he told me it just builds you up inside," he said. "And I'm definitely really excited to go back to just to see the Fortress, the arena, the roads that you take to go to the rink and all that kind of stuff. It was home for me. It's still a part of me, is part of home a little bit. It'll be definitely weird, but I'm definitely excited to just go back and see the fans, the arena, the city, the lights. "Just a great atmosphere and the great juju that's over there, definitely just super excited to go back."

W.G. Ramirez·5d·Partner

Knights Center Tomas Hertl Will Not Accompany Team For Three-Game Road Trip That Begins Tuesday In Minnesota

LAS VEGAS -- The Golden Knights lost red-hot Tomas Hertl to an upper-body injury during Sunday's 4-2 win over the Lightning. General manager Kelly McCrimmon said Monday on the Golden Knights Insider Show that Hertl did not make the trip and will not play this week. Coach Bruce Cassidy said after the game Hertl was being re-evaluated at that moment and would be once again Monday morning while holding out hope for good news. But one earlier report said otherwise. "It's the shoulder ... I didn't like what I was hearing on Sunday night, but I am hoping that is wrong," Elliotte Friedman said during the 32 Thoughts podcast. "Initially, the word wasn't great. I'm just hoping that's wrong. "I don't know what to say here except that I heard they were a little bit concerned about it." Understandably, too, considering Hertl has been on a heater of late. While center Jack Eichel may have been named the NHL's second star this week, there's no doubt who's been the hottest Golden Knight the past few weeks. Hertl suffered the injury when he was pushed from behind by Lightning defenseman Emil Lilleberg after a breakaway opportunity was stopped by Tampa Bay goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy. Hertl went to gather the rebound when Lilleberg grabbed Hertl's hips and shoved him. Hertl slammed into the end boards shoulder first and did not return. Originally a five-minute major, the call was reduced to a two-minute boarding penalty. "That is a dirty hit in that area when a player is in that position," Golden Knights broadcaster Shane Hnidy said during the broadcast. "That's gotta be a five-minute major). I'm all for physical play but there's gotta be awareness." The Knights left for a three-game road trip on Monday, starting in Minnesota, so no update was provided. Vegas' trip begins Tuesday against the Wild, whom the Knights would face if the playoffs began now. A message for Hertl's agent, Craig Oster, went unreturned. A long-term loss could prove devastating for a Golden Knights offense that has come alive, ranking second with 3.92 goals-for per game during an 8-2-2 run since Feb. 27. Hertl has been a big part of that, as he followed up Saturday's hat trick against the Red Wings with a goal against Tampa Bay on Sunday. Hertl, whose 14 power-play goals are a franchise record, now has two hat tricks in his last eight games and leads the league with 19 goals since Jan. 17. His 28 points in the same span are tied with three others for 15th in the league. "He’s playing some of his best hockey he’s probably played in his career, never mind with us," Cassidy said Sunday night. McCrimmon did say defenseman Shea Theodore, who suffered a fractured wrist during the 4 Nation's Face-Off, would accompany the team on the trip and could return to the lineup.

W.G. Ramirez·5d·Partner

3 Takeaways: Golden Knights Win 4-2 over Tampa Bay, Lose Hot-Shooting Hertl To Injury

The Vegas Golden Knights completed a 3-0 sweep of their three-game homestand by knocking off the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 on Sunday night. Nic Roy, Tomas Hertl, Jack Eichel and Nic Hague all scored while Ilya Samsonov made 36 saves for Vegas. The Pacific Division-leading Golden Knights moved five points in front of the idle Edmonton Oilers, both with 12 games to play. The Golden Knights are now enjoying an 11-3-2 run since Feb. 6, and carry their momentum on the road for three games, as they're set to visit Minnesota, Chicago and Nashville next week. Here are three takeaways from the game: TOMAS HURT-L: Hertl, who scored his team-leading 31st goal of the season, left the game late in the third period when he crashed into the end boards after being shoved by Tampa Bay defenseman Emil Lilleberg. Hertl raced in on a breakaway, but was stonewalled by Tampa Bay goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy. As Hertl went to gather the rebound to his left, Lilleberg pushed him into the boards. Hertl immediately skated off the ice and into the locker room and did not return. Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said he was being evaluated after the game and will be re-evaluated in the morning. The Golden Knights are scheduled to leave for Minneapolis/St. Paul on Monday morning. WHAM BAM THANK YOU SAM: Samsonov snapped a two-game skid with one of his best performances of the season, considering the opponent and the offensive threat the Lightning can be at times. Tampa Bay's 38 shots tied for the team's sixth-most this season. It was the third-most shots Samsonov has faced this season. "He was solid," Cassidy said. "I thought he was really under control, they're a volume shooting team. I thought we protected against the odd-man rush type of chances for the most part. But there's a lot of stuff coming to the net. They rotate pucks well, they get three-high with traffic. So he was able to fight through that and find all the pucks, and then we're able to help him out with the clears and box out." PLAYOFF PREVIEW: If the playoffs were to start Monday, the Golden Knights would host Minnesota in the opening round of the playoffs, as the Wild are currently hold the No. 1 wild-card spot in the Western Conference. The teams will meet for the final team in the regular season on Tuesday in St. Paul. The Knights won the first two meetings, 3-2 in Minnesota on Dec. 15 and 4-1 on Jan. 12 in Vegas. The teams met in the 2021 postseason, when the Golden Knights took the seven-game series, 4-3. "It's massive. We might play them down the stretch, so we gotta impose (our) game and show we can do against them," Roy said. "But right now we really want to focus on getting that first seed in the division, the home ice advantage. That's our goal, so we're gonna keep pushing for that."

W.G. Ramirez·Mar 21, 2025·Partner

"Friday Knight hiLights": William Karlsson's Long-Awaited Reunion With Reilly Smith Met With Victory For Golden Knights

LAS VEGAS -- Golden Knights center William Karlsson skated down the right side of the ice and without hesitation, with defenders around, fired a ridiculous backhanded pass to hard-charging Reilly Smith as he approached the net. It was the type of play that reminiscent of what Golden Knights fans were used to seeing during the team's first six years of existence. If only Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman wasn't there to stonewall Smith, a raucous crowd of 18,225 would have lost it to see two of their favorite original misfits connect for a goal after skating together for the first time since Smith's return. After the Knights won the Stanley Cup in 2023, Smith was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Last offseason he was traded to the New York Rangers. Smith was reacquired by the Golden Knights earlier this month, just before the deadline, and Karlsson returned to the lineup for Thursday night's 5-1 win over the Bruins. "Yeah, one thing I did well there on that shift, especially that pass to Reilly," said Karlsson, who had an assist and played 20 shifts for a total of 15:57 on the ice. "I had a lot of speed on my boots. Too bad it wasn't meant to be." Karlsson said he'd like to work on his sharpness, but was otherwise pleased with his speed and ability to see the ice and play in all facets of the game. "Pretty good, pretty good," Karlsson said. "Good to be back out there with the fellas and the body felt pretty good, so can't complain. I think I adjusted pretty quick. I didn't feel like it was super fast out there, and it felt like it usually is." Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy agreed. "I figured his pace would be there," Cassidy said. "That's why he missed time, to correct some of that. And I think he's feeling really good, his body and his legs and that part of it. It's the rust of playing with people around you. It's hard to get that, especially this time of year, we're not practicing that much. So I liked his game a lot, thought he did some good things ... grabbing pucks down low in our end, playing good defense and being in the right spot. I think he made a couple plays to Smitty, good on the kill, power play." One area Cassidy said Karlsson will benefit over the others is the excitement of wanting to be back on the ice, while others may be feeling normal end-of-the-season fatigue. "(He) does have a little bit of catching up to do, but you know, sometimes that's not a bad thing," Cassidy added. "He's excited to play, where other guys have played a lot and ... it's the mental grind. He doesn't at least have to go through that. It's the excitement of being back in the lineup. So you know, there's always a positive to it." AROUND THE BEAT From The Hockey News' Julian Gaudio: Golden Knights' Pavel Dorofeyev Records A Hat Trick As He Hits The 30-Goal Mark From Sin Bin Vegas' Ken Boehlke: Karlsson’s Return Offers First Look At Post-Deadline Healthy Forward Lines From The Athletic's Jesse Granger: Alex Ovechkin 7 goals from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record after scoring vs. Flyers From Las Vegas Review-Journal's Danny Webster: Golden Knights’ consistent star continues chase for 100-point season From Las Vegas Sun's Jack Williams: Golden Knights always believed in Dorofeyev's offensive potential FORMER KNIGHTS Logan Thompson appears to have regained his winning touch for the Capitals, after a brief lull. Thompson is 5-0-0 since March 3, with a 2.36 goals-against average and .907 save percentage. The undefeated streak follows a 2-2-2 showing from Feb. 1 through March 1. Jonathan Marchessault goes into the final several weeks of the season looking for a spark, as he's got just one goal and three assists over his last 13 games for the Predators. The Golden Knights visit Nashville on March 29. Erik Haula had a goal for the Devils in Thursday's 5-3 home loss to the Flames. It was just his seventh goal of the season. Haula had 16 goals last season, and 14 the year before, his first in New Jersey.

W.G. Ramirez·Mar 21, 2025·Partner

3 Takeaways: Golden Knights Opens 3-Game Homestand With 5-1 Win Over Boston Bruins

LAS VEGAS - The Golden Knights returned home from what turned into a disappointing road trip and was fueled by Pavel Dorofeyev's three-goal game to defeat the Boston Bruins, 5-1. Brett Howden and Ivan Barbashev added goals for Vegas, while goaltender Adin Hill made 18 saves. The Pacific Division-leading Golden Knights moved three points in front of the Edmonton Oilers, who lost in overtime to the Winnipeg Jets earlier in the night. Hill was on the brink of his fifth shutout this season until Morgan Geekie scored for Boston with 2:11 left in the game. Here are three takeaways from the game: WILD BILL IS BACK: After missing two months with a lower-body injury, center William Karlsson returned to the lineup and was reunited with fellow original misfit Reilly Smith. It was the first time they've skated together since Smith was reacquired just before the deadline. "I think I adjusted pretty quick," said Karlsson, who had an assist and played 20 shifts for a total of 15:57 on the ice. "I didn't feel like it was super fast out there, and it felt like it usually is." DOROFEYEV'S HATTIE: Dorofeyev's hat trick was his second this season, as he also had one in a 5-3 loss at Nashville on Jan. 14. The 24-year-old, who was drafted 79th overall by the Knights in 2019, leads the team with 30 goals. He now has six goals in the team's last five games. "We always knew that he had the goal-scoring in him," Karlsson said. "I think he's just playing a solid 200-foot game, and then he adds all his scoring on top of that. And just mature, mature guy. He's grown a lot this year." INJURY UPDATE: Late in the second period Jack Eichel stood tall to block a shot, but immediately limped to the bench and down the tunnel. Eichel would later return to the bench and played in the third period, but he was seen in the locker room after the game limping badly. Asked if he was okay, Eichel promptly replied: "Yep!" The team is off Friday, will hold a morning skate on Saturday and then plays back-to-back games against the Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday. Eichel will be someone to watch, in the event he may need to sit one of the two games, if not both.

W.G. Ramirez·Mar 16, 2025·Partner

3 Takeaways: Golden Knights Lose 3-0 In Detroit, End 4-Game Trip With Fourth Shutout Loss Of The Season

The Golden Knights were held off the scoreboard for just the fourth time this season Sunday, when they dropped a 3-0 decision to the Red Wings in Detroit. It was the first time Vegas had been shutout since Jan. 9, when the New York Islanders blanked the Knights 4-0 on their own ice. The four shutouts are tied for the third-highest number of times the Golden Knights have been blanked in a season. They were shutout four times during the 2019-20 season, five times last season and seven times during the 2021-22 campaign. The loss came on the second leg of a back-to-back after the Golden Knights squandered a 3-2 lead in Buffalo, and had a chance to put the game away if not for Tomas Hertl passing to Jack Eichel rather than chucking the puck into an empty net. The Sabres tied the game with 14 seconds left and won 4-3 in a shootout. After a scoreless first period, the Red Wings got a goal from Albert Johansson to make it 1-0, a lead they'd take into the locker room for the second intermission. Lucas Raymond made it 2-0 early in the third, while Marco Kasper all but iced the game midway through. Vegas netminder Ilya Samsonov stopped 24 of the 27 shots he faced. "We let one get away yesterday, and I hope it's a learning curve for our team," Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. "After the game, I was still salty about it, but it's not easy to win in this league, and that's why you put games away. Because the next night you are on the fourth (road game) in six (days), you're on the road against a team in playoff position "We knew we were a tired hockey team, (Detroit) knew we were a tired hockey team, we were going to need a spark somewhere. And maybe the first shot of the game, I think it was (Victor) Olofsson hit the post. Maybe, if that goes in and gives us a little something to get excited about." Here are three takeaways from Sunday's loss: NO POWER: For the first time since Dec. 3 - and just the second time this season - the Golden Knights didn't get one power play. Vegas thrives on the road with a man advantage, ranking first in the league with a 31.1% conversion rate (23 of 74). It certainly could have been effective considering Detroit has the league's worst penalty kill - both overall and at home. Vegas came into the game with at least one power-play goal in 17 of its previous 25 games. "I would have liked to see a score, even the game, and maybe do something positive offensively," Cassidy said. "Draw a penalty, get on the power play, something to get us going, to get us excited. There wasn't a lot of room out there. And then we did, we got a break with (Ivan) Barbashev. We had a good chance, (Mark Stone) right after that. We had some looks ... but not a lot of looks. But Barby's would have been the one, maybe get us in the game." REST AND RECOVERY: The Golden Knights have now played 11 games in 22 days, since the 4 Nations Face-Off break, the last four on the road. And while six of the 11 were at home, the Knights are looking forward to coming home from the East Coast tour and back-to-back games in Buffalo and Detroit and taking a few days off from games. Vegas is expected to have Monday off before practicing Tuesday and Wednesday and resuming their schedule on Thursday at T-Mobile Arena. "Well, anytime you get off the road, you get a breather. It's good time," Cassidy said. "When you come off the road in a long trip, turn around and play on a, let's say it was Tuesday, we went through that I think the first year a few times, I thought it was difficult. That's why our home record actually suffered. We'd get back and we didn't have any juice. So hopefully we take care of some family business tomorrow and Tuesday, and whatever you usually do at the end of a road trip, and we're excited to play again." UP NEXT: Vegas' three-game homestand will be against Eastern Conference teams Boston, Detroit and Tampa Bay - a trio the Knights are now 1-2-0 against this season. They won in Boston, but lost in Tampa and Detroit. The Knights, who are 3-0-0 when playing with three days off between games, have lost 16 of 29 (13-12-4) to Eastern Conference teams this season.

W.G. Ramirez·Mar 15, 2025·Partner

3 Takeaways: Golden Knights Blow 3-2 Lead After Hertl Bypasses Empty Net Goal

The Golden Knights squandered the 3-2 lead they got with a little more than two minutes left in the game, and then lost to the Buffalo Sabres, 4-3, in a shootout on Saturday afternoon. With the heated game tied at 2-all, former Sabre Jack Eichel shoveled a loose puck in the crease past Buffalo netminder Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to give the Golden Knights a 3-2 lead at the 17:27 mark of the third period. With Luukkonen pulled, Tomas Hertl raced in toward the empty net but rather than ice the game and give the Knights a two-goal lead, he tried dropping the puck off to get Eichel a second goal. The unexpected forced pass missed Eichel, and moments later Buffalo captain Rasmus Dahlin sent a rocket past Vegas goalie Adin Hill to tie the game with 14 seconds remaining and force overtime. "I'm still trying to digest what just happened to be honest with you," Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. Victor Olofsson gave the Knights a 1-0 lead in the shootout, but Jack Quinn made it 1-1 in the second round, which saw Eichel miss his attempt. Former Knight Alex Tuch beat Hill in the third round while Luukkonen stuffed Pavel Dorofeyev to secure the improbable win. Brett Howden and Pavel Dorofeyev also scored for Vegas while Hill made 34 saves. Howden's hard hit that dropped Jiri Kulich got tempers flaring in the second period. "We weren't very good most of the day," Cassidy added. "We checked pretty well at the start of the third I thought, for a game we weren't that engaged in playing a puck possession game, a hard game. You allow Buffalo's defense to get going, that's where you gotta wear them down. And we didn't do a lot of that. I mean, we're ahead late, so we did some things right." Here are three takeaways from Saturday's loss: BE SELFISH: Clearly, Hertl was trying to get Eichel his second goal during what's been a record-breaking season, not to mention get a bit more satisfaction against his former team in a game the boo birds emerged just as they have since he landed in Vegas 3 1/2 years ago. Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy didn't mince words over how he felt about the play. "I'd like to see him shoot the puck in the net and end the game, that's what I'd like to see, I think the whole team would like to see that," Cassidy said. QUIT TRIPPIN': Three games into the four-game road trip, the Golden Knights were whistled for tripping, a play Cassidy said must stop. In their 3-2 overtime loss in Pittsburgh, Nic Roy was called for tripping Evgeni Malkin, during the 4-0 win in Columbus it was Ivan Barbashev getting sent to the box after tripping Dante Fabbro, and in Buffalo it was Pavel Dorofeyev's tripping penalty against Connor Clifton that allowed the Sabres' Jason Zucker to score his 19th of the season, and tie the game 2-all. "It just felt like, again, the penalties we took," Cassidy said. "We're not under pressure, a delay a game, an offensive zone penalty again three games in a row over the same play and a stick foul. They're going to happen periodically, but I mean they're going to cost you, and they have. They have in this trip." UP NEXT: The Golden Knights will have to do their best to put the nightmarish loss behind them, as they head to Detroit for the second leg of a back-to-back on Sunday. After Saturday's loss, Vegas is 4-4-1 in game one and 5-3-0 in game two of back-to-back games this season. They'll face a Red Wings team that is in a battle for a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. As of the end of Vegas' game in Buffalo, the Wings were in fifth place in the wild-card standings with 68 points, two points back of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have the second spot. The Ottawa Senators currently hold the first wild-card position with 75 points. Detroit is 11 points behind the third-place Tampa Bay Lightning in the Atlantic Division. "Obviously (Hertl) probably wants it back, I think our game overall was not good enough," Golden Knights wing Victor Olofsson said. "I think we should have just played a better game for 60 minutes. Just don't worry about it, what happened happens. You just have to put that behind you and move forward we're looking forward to our game tomorrow."

W.G. Ramirez·Mar 15, 2025·Partner

Brett Howden's Hard Hit On Jiri Kulich Draws Different Reactions From Opposing Media Members

Jack Eichel may no longer be the most hated Golden Knight in Buffalo. Brett Howden, who gave Vegas a 1-0 lead in the first period of Saturday's matinee in Buffalo, delivered a hard hit on Jiri Kulich in the second period. The hit prompted former Knight Peyton Krebs to instigate a fight with Howden. And with that came a chorus of boos from the crowd inside Buffalo's KeyBank Center, and a variety or responses on "X" from beat writers who cover both teams. Interestingly, they all had their own way of phrasing their posts. From the Vegas media: Buffalo media members saw it a bit differently, with an added adjective or two: The aftermath? Howden was assessed a penalty for fighting, while Krebs got one too, and an extra two minutes for instigating and a 10-minute misconduct. Thus, the Golden Knights ended up on the power play. More from Buffalo media members: A little more than two minutes later, Buffalo's Jordan Greenway and Vegas' Keegan Kolesar dropped the gloves. The teams went into the locker room with the Golden Knights leading, 2-1.

W.G. Ramirez·Mar 12, 2025·Partner

3 Takeaways: Golden Knights Open East Coast Trip With 3-2 Overtime Loss In Pittsburgh

LAS VEGAS -- The Golden Knights fell behind early for the second straight game, and their late surge in Pittsburgh wouldn't be enough. Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson scored 49 seconds into overtime to give Pittsburgh a 3-2 win after Vegas defenseman Noah Hanifin tied the game with seven seconds left in regulation. Pittsburgh took a 2-0 lead when Sidney Crosby scored in the first and second periods. "We came in from the West Coast so there's gonna be a bit of an adjustment," Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. "I didn't mind our start. Listen, do we want to start better? Yes. But considering the circumstances, we didn't give up much. We took some penalties in the O-zone, two high sticks. Typically, not us. They make a good play. We kind of read the play wrong and we leave a dangerous player open in front, they buried it. "I thought we got to our game, and we're the better team the rest of the way." Pavel Dorofeyev cut the lead in half with his 25th goal of the season later in the second period. Vegas outshot the Penguins 19-4 in the third period but it wouldn't be until the Knights pulled goaltender Ilya Samsonov for a 6-on-5 advantage that Hanifin would score the equalizer with a blast from just above the right circle. Samsonov stopped 14 shots in the loss. "Their goaltender outplayed ours in the end," Cassidy added. "Take the point because when you get it with your goalie out that late, probably deserved a better fate in the end, but we'll take it and move on, get ready for Columbus." Here are three takeaways from Sunday's loss: JACKED UP: When Jack Eichel assisted on Dorofeyev's goal in the second period it was his 78th point (20 goals, 58 assists), moving him into a tie for the all-time franchise record with William Karlsson for points in one season. Eichel, who has a six-game point streak, ranks eighth in the league in points and is tied for fourth in assists. "He's an amazing player," Hanifin said. "It's been awesome being able to play with him and such a great teammate, great leader for our group. He's a special player. I've said it before, just his commitment defensively away from the puck is pretty special and sometimes it can go unnoticed. He has a great 200-foot game. He's the leader for our team." PACIFIC RACE: At the very least, Hanifin's goal got the Knights into overtime assuring them of at least one point. Vegas is now five points in front of the Edmonton Oilers (83 to 78), both with 18 games to play. Per Canada Sports Betting (https://www.canadasportsbetting.ca/), the Golden Knights have the seventh-easiest schedule while Edmonton has the 11th-easiest schedule, as of March 6. The teams meet once more this season, on April 1, in Las Vegas. NEXT UP: The Knights travel to Columbus, which dropped a 5-3 decision in New Jersey while Vegas was playing in Pittsburgh. After coming out of the 4 Nations Face-Off break with four straight wins, the Blue Jackets have lost three of four and will be returning from a four-game road trip that ran through Tampa, Sunrise (Fla.), Manhattan and New Jersey. The Blue Jackets are 10-2-1 in their first game after being on the road.

W.G. Ramirez·Mar 10, 2025·Partner

3 Takeaways: Cassidy: "Probably our worst game of the year in managing pucks in certain areas"

LAS VEGAS -- After opening a five-game homestand with four straight wins, the Golden Knights dropped the final game against their pesky rivals from Los Angeles, as the Kings held off a late rally to win 6-5 on Sunday night. The loss threw shade on Tomas Hertl's three goals, as he registered the seventh hat trick of his career and first since Dec. 5, 2023. Nic Roy and Brandon Saad also scored for the Knights, while Adin Hill made 29 saves. The last loss for Vegas also came against the Kings, in Los Angeles on Feb. 24. Vegas heads into a four-game road trip and goes into the week with a four-point lead over the Edmonton Oilers in the Pacific Division (82-78), both with 19 games left on the schedule. Here are three takeaways from Sunday's loss: HOT HERTL: Hertl has been torching opponents since Jan. 7, with a team-high 27 points coming from 17 goals and 10 assists in that span. Also during that stretch, Hertl has at least one point in 19 of 24 games. The problem, however, is the Golden Knights haven't given their veteran center much help when he's adding to the stat sheet, as they've lost 10 of those 19 games (9-7-3). Hertl said he had two takeaways from the game. "Obviously our start wasn't great, but at same time, how good we can play, like in the second," Hertl said. "Tonight wasn't the right day to fall asleep. L.A. jump on us and dominate first. ... After that, small details decide it." REVERSAL OF FORTUNE: Allowing the Kings to start as well as they did was the complete opposite of what we had seen from Vegas during the homestand. The Knights hadn't trailed in any of their first four games to start the homestand but saw the Kings open a 3-0 lead just 1:56 into the second period. Vegas is 22-7-5 when scoring the first goal of the game, but dropped to 16-12-1 when its opponent scores first. "Weren't ready to play, that's on the coaches to prepare your team to play, we weren't," coach Bruce Cassidy said. "Practice yesterday wasn't sufficient enough. ... It's also the coaches' job to get the guys to compete and I thought we did from the second period on, so that's a positive. ... I just think it was probably our worst game of the year in managing pucks in certain areas of the ice and obviously cost us in the end." TRAVELING WITH MOMENTUM: Despite the loss, the Knights head to the East Coast on a 7-2-0 run, including a 5-2-0 roll since the 4 Nations Face-Off break. During that stretch, which dates back to Feb. 5, the Knights are allowing a league sixth-lowest 2.56 goals per game. They'll need their defense when visiting Pittsburgh, Columbus, Buffalo and Detroit. The Knights are 2-0-1 against that quartet and have yet to play the wild-card-seeking Red Wings.

W.G. Ramirez·Mar 8, 2025·Partner

3 Takeaways: Ilya Samsonov, Golden Knights Blank Penguins 4-0 In Reilly Smith's Return To Vegas

LAS VEGAS -- The Golden Knights shrugged off a sluggish start and cruised to a 4-0 win over the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night. Mark Stone scored a goal and had two assists, Tanner Pearson had a goal and an assist, and Ivan Barbashev and Brandon Saad each added a goal in the win. Vegas goaltender Ilya Samsonov stopped all 22 shots he faced to earn his second shutout this season, and 15th of his career. Vegas extended its lead over the Edmonton Oilers in the Pacific Division to six points (82-76) with its fourth straight win and seventh in eight games. Here are three takeaways from Friday's win: MUCH-NEEDED WIN: After losing three of four and six of his previous eight, Samsonov won his second straight start. But it wasn't just getting a victory, coach Bruce Cassidy said, as much as it was how Samsonov dominated earlier in the game while Vegas was still trying to find a groove offensively. Of the 22 shots Samsonov saved, 18 were in the first two periods - nine in both the first and second. "He needed a game like that," Cassidy said. "And then we came around and played better in front of him as the game went on. He made the saves he had to early. When you look at the game at the end, it's like, 'Okay, it's 4-0, not a lot going on.' But early on he had to make saves. We weren't chasing the game." RETURN OF REILLY: Original "Golden Misfit" Reilly Smith returned to a rousing ovation, after he returned to Vegas on Thursday via trade with the New York Rangers. Smith helped the Golden Knights win the 2023 Stanley Cup and was traded to the Penguins less than a month later. Then, last offseason, he was dealt to New York. Smith was all smiles during morning skate, saying it felt like coming home. The 33-year-old played 19 shifts in 14 minutes, 19 seconds of playing time. "It definitely lived up to everything that I expected," Smith said about his first game back with Vegas. "Nice to get a win. You know, myself, just trying to catch up to speed as quickly as possible. System is a little different, so there's things that definitely I got to get better. But just overall, as a game, I think it went pretty well. I think our team did a great job just keeping the puck going north and making the most of our chances." MORE MILESTONES: Jack Eichel played in his 600th career game. Coincidentally, in his return, Smith played in his 400th game as a Golden Knight. It was also the 899th game of his career. Smith said he didn't realize it was his 400th until just before learning he'd start in his return game. He also said he's had "900 games to think" about the milestone that should come Sunday against the Los Angeles Kings barring any unforeseen circumstances. "It seems that over the last couple years the games don't jumble up as fast as they used to," Smith said. "I'm proud to be able to get to that moment. I was always super happy just be able to play one. So just another one to soak in the moment, and hopefully just continue that trend and get to 100 more."

W.G. Ramirez·Mar 7, 2025·Partner

"Friday Knight hiLights": Reilly Smith's Return To Vegas Brings Hockey Smarts Back To The Locker Room

LAS VEGAS -- The first coach in Golden Knights history, Gerard Gallant, once called Reilly Smith the smartest player on the team. The second coach, Peter DeBoer, felt as if he was an extension of the coaching staff. Current coach Bruce Cassidy said Thursday he's glad to have Smith back, after the 33-year-old was traded by the New York Rangers back to Vegas, in exchange for Brendan Brisson and a third-round draft pick in 2025. "I think it’ll be a good addition for us," Cassidy said. "He’s a veteran guy. He knows how we play, knows the room, knows the expectations. Comfortable here in pretty much every aspect, I would think." An original "Golden Misfit" from the 2017-18 squad that entered the league and went to the Stanley Cup Final, Smith was part of the championship team in 2023. But less than a month after hoisting the Cup, he was traded to Pittsburgh for a third-round pick, on June 28, 2023. That was less than a year after he signed a three-year, $15 million extension. Now, after his stint in Pittsburgh and being moved to the Rangers, Smith returns to Vegas with New York retaining part of the salary and the Knights on the hook for $1.875 million. A fan favorite, social media was abuzz when the trade was announced and the Golden Knights made it official with a post of their own. Whenever Smith takes the ice for the Knights, he should have no trouble fitting in somewhere in the bottom six of the forwards. "Sometimes guys come in and it takes them a while to get acclimated," Cassidy said. "They defer a lot because they come into a locker room that’s had success so they want to fit in. It’s human nature. "Reilly knows pretty much everybody in the room. There’s been some turnover the past two years, but for the most part he knows the players. A lot of familiarity." And with the hockey IQ he brings, he could have an immediate impact. ON THE BEAT From Sin Bin Vegas' Ken Boehlke: Same Opponent, Same Game, Most Of The Season This Year For VGK From The Athletic's Jesse Granger: Why the Golden Knights brought Reilly Smith back to Vegas From Las Vegas Review-Journal's Danny Webster: He’s back: Knights acquire Original Misfit in trade with Rangers From Las Vegas Sun's Jack Williams: Golden Knights trade Brendan Brisson for Original Misfit Reilly Smith From Las Vegas Review-Journal's Ed Graney: Knights have perfect recipe, and goalie, for another deep run FORMER KNIGHTS Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki is the highest-ranked former Knight in registered points since the calendar turn, tied for 11th with 29 points (8 goals, 21 assists) since Jan. 1. Cody Glass returns to Vegas on Friday with the Penguins. He has 15 points (4 goals, 11 assists) for Pittsburgh this season. After trudging through a 2-4 slide, Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson snapped a two-game skid with a victory over the Senators on Monday. Despite the recent slump, Thompson still ranks fifth in the league with 26 wins. Former Maple Leaf Ryan Reaves was in attendance for Wednesday's game in Vegas, but was sporting a grey suit, rather than a uniform, as he was one of three healthy scratches. One day later, Reaves was placed on waivers,

W.G. Ramirez·Mar 6, 2025·Partner

3 Takeaways: Golden Knights Top Maple Leafs 5-2 Behind Steady Offense And Strong Play From Adin Hill

LAS VEGAS -- The Golden Knights seem to have put that treacherous stretch of losing 11 of 14 games behind them, as they're now playing some of their best hockey of the season. Vegas won its third straight game and for the sixth time in seven games with Wednesday's 5-2 win over Eastern Conference powerhouse Toronto. The Golden Knights opened a 5-0 lead before the Leafs closed the scoring with the game's final two goals. Five different skaters scored for the Golden Knights, including Tomas Hertl, who scored his 14th goal since Jan. 7 - fourth highest in the NHL during that stretch. Brett Howden, Jack Eichel, Noah Hanifin and Tanner Pearson also scored for Vegas. Adin Hill stopped 29 of the 31 shots he faced to win his fourth straight start. "I think our team's playing pretty well," Hill said. "Just trying to keep it simple, keep the game easy, being on my feet as much as I can, and just trying to be patient." Here are three takeaways from Wednesday's win: CONFIDENT HOCKEY: Since letting Chicago back into a game the Golden Knights led 5-1 and eventually won 7-5, Vegas has outscored New Jersey and Toronto - two offensive-minded teams - by a combined final of 7-2. The Golden Knights beat the Devils 2-0 on Sunday. Pearson said while the team is playing responsible hockey by keeping the gas pedal depressed when opening an early lead, it's the air of confidence the team is playing with right now. "It's a veteran group and most of the guys in the room have won before," he said. "So it's getting down to the kind of nitty-gritty time of the year, and obviously want to put yourself in a good position leading into the playoffs. Everyone knows what's at stake and everyone knows what the goal is at the end of the day." SETTLING THE SCORE: As 4 Nations Face-Off USA teammates Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel met at center ice for the opening puck drop, Matthew Knies and Zach Whitecloud were ready to drop the gloves four seconds into the game. Bad blood was boiling from Nov. 20, when Knies took a high hit from Vegas' defenseman. Knies' head hit the ice and he consequentially missed two games with an upper-body injury. The NHL Department of Player Safety didn't issue any discipline on Whitecloud, ruling a "good angle of approach." It wouldn't matter, however, as Knies wanted revenge. "That stemmed from a hard hit on Knies up in Toronto, clean hit," Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. "He wanted some retribution, and that's the one thing I love about the game and our group. It's the right way to settle things sometimes, as opposed to trying to maybe get a guy when he's not looking or jump him, stuff like that. They settled it, and then they move on. They have a mutual respect for one another. And you play hockey, and I thought it was good for both teams." MILESTONES CONTINUE: Hanifin has now posted three straight multipoint games, the longest stretch in his career, after registering both a goal and an assist in the game. Hanifin's offense has caught fire with nine points (two goals, seven assists) in his last seven games. Eichel, meanwhile, also had a goal and an assist, which was his career-high tying 54th helper of the season. Eichel - whose assist on Hanfin's goal was a highlight by itself - is now four points behind teammate William Karlsson’s single-season franchise points record of 78.

W.G. Ramirez·Mar 5, 2025·Partner

"SAY WHAT?!" Newest Golden Knight Brandon Saad Enjoys New Surroundings, Looking Forward To Finding Favorite Delicacies At Local Eateries

LAS VEGAS -- Now in his fifth NHL city, spanning a 14-year career, veteran forward Brandon Saad has always made sure of one thing in every city he's played. Of Syrian descent, the 32-year-old - who signed a one-year contract with the Golden Knights worth an average annual value of $1,500,000 on Jan. 31 - wants to know where the best Lebanese food can be found. "Obviously, my aunts and grandma and mom all cook it, and it's something I fell in love with early and that I've loved for a long time," Saad said during a conversation with The Hockey News. "Everywhere I've played, regardless of cooking it, we always try to find a good restaurant that has it or kind of community to feel that kind of sense of home." Like many other Middle Easterners that enjoy the decadent flavors of Lebanon and Syria, Saad said his favorite dish is Kibbeh, a popular meat dish generally made with lean ground lamb and bulgur wheat. Kibbeh is considered to be a national dish of Lebanon and Syria, and thankfully for the newest Knight, his wife, Alysa Wozniak, learned to make authentic dishes from his family matriarchs. Now, Saad said, he's ready to find Las Vegas' best-known spots for authentic recipes of his heritage. As part of our "SAY WHAT?!" series, here is a little more with Brandon Saad: THN: What it's been like since you've arrived? BS: It's been a whirlwind. But now that we're settled, it's been a lot of fun. THN: There are plenty of families on this team, so home games must have quite a family night in the family room. BS: I think it's amazing. Anytime you have other kids on the team it makes your kids feel right at home. So, for them to come in and get to play in the hockey room and get to experience that, it's been really nice. THN: What's been one of the biggest things that you've come to appreciate being part of this organization? BS: I think there's a lot of good things. I think the first off is the living. You don't know too much about it, but it's been great living, great weather, so it's nice for your family to be outside. And then how well you're treated as an organization. You hear things about that too, but until you experience it, it's really nice. First class. THN: This team took the league by storm, and it became one of the most hated franchises. Is it weird to be here? BS: I think anytime people are having success, you kind of want to knock them down a peg, and you kind of start that hatred for them. But it's an organization that's always trying to win, and that's why they're in it every year with the moves they make, with the guys they have. So it's nice to be on this part of it. THN: Who was your closest ally before you got here, who did you have a close relationship with? BS: I didn't know too many guys, but I played with Barbie (Ivan Barbashev) in St Louis right before he came here. Played with (William (Karlsson) as well, but that was in Columbus over 10 years ago. So Barbie, I talked to him a little bit about the organization and how it was and he had all great things to say, so that was good to hear. THN: Have you found a favorite restaurant in town? BS: At home, not too much yet. It's kind of been moving in a whirlwind with the family getting settled. But I know there's a lot of good food, even from playing here on the road. So I'm looking forward to getting to some more restaurants. THN: Who have you learned is the biggest class clown? BS: I don't know about class clown, but I like (Jack) Eichel. Loose personality. He likes to have fun. He likes to keep it loose, even though he's ultra-competitive. So I like that. He's a great leader. THN: Who is the one guy you can expect to be pranked by? BS: Maybe Petro (Alex Pietrangelo)? I think Petro might. I haven't seen too much, but he kind of has that fun personality, and he's been around a while. THN: And since you've gotten here, who have you grown close with? BS: "You know, I think it's been a feeler. Now, I think Stoney (Mark Stone) has been great, when I first met them in New York, to kind of get me out and getting dinners with him. So that's been nice. But, yeah, just getting a feel for the guys, it's been good to connect." Stone said he didn't know much about Saad before he arrived, other than times he's played against him, but said he's the prototypical pro. "Takes care of himself, there's a reason why he's played 900 and something games in such a short period of time," Stone said. "Skates well. Keeps himself in tremendous shape. He just comes in here, does his work, and goes home and gets ready for the next day that's what good professionals do."

W.G. Ramirez·Mar 3, 2025·Partner

3 Takeaways: Adin Hill Registers Third Shutout Of Season, Golden Knights Top Devils 2-0

New Jersey Devils left wing Ondrej Palat (18) is upended by Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb (3) during the first period at T-Mobile Arena in an NHL game on March 2, 2025. Photo Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images LAS VEGAS -- The Golden Knights got power-play goals from Mark Stone and Noah Hanifin while Adin Hill stopped all 25 shots he saw to register his third shutout of the season in a 2-0 win over the New Jersey Devils. Vegas improved to 3-1 since the regular season resumed after the 4 Nations Face-Off, with all three wins coming at home. The first-place Knights have won five of their last six and now sit four points in front of the Edmonton Oilers in the Pacific Division. Vegas improved to 22-6-3 at home on the year, with its 47 points at T-Mobile Arena ranked tied for second in the NHL with the Carolina Hurricanes. The Winnipeg Jets have 50 points behind their 23-5-4 home record. Stone opened the scoring early in the third period when he deflected Hanifin's shot from the top past New Jersey goaltender Jacob Markstrom, who was sidelined since Jan. 22 because of a strained knee ligament. Incidentally, Devils star Jack Hughes left the game in the third period after getting tangled with Vegas' Jack Eichel and crashing into the boards. Hanifin made it 2-0 midway through the period with his seventh goal of the season. Jack Eichel assisted on both goals for his 24th multi-point game of the season, the most in franchise history. It was the 160th multi-point game of his career. Here are three takeaways from Sunday's win: SPECIAL POWER—The Golden Knights' special teams unit continues to thrive with a man advantage. They netted two power-play goals for the ninth time this season. They've yet to score three goals with a man advantage this season, but Thursday and Sunday marked the first time this season Vegas scored two power-play goals in back-to-back games. Since Jan. 11, the Golden Knights rank second to the Dallas Stars with a power-play conversion rate of 35.3%. For the year, Vegas ranks third in the league with a 28.5% power-play clip. MILESTONE MCNABB - Defenseman Brayden McNabb played in the 800th game of his career. One of the organization's "original misfits," McNabb was selected by the Golden Knights in the 2017 Expansion Draft and has appeared in the most games by any Vegas skater (561). McNabb has registered 1,894 hits and 1,484 blocked shots in his career, ranking first and third respectively among defensemen from his draft class. McNabb has appeared in 238 consecutive games, the 17th-longest active Iron Man streak in the league. OVER THE HILL - For the first time in his career, Hill has registered three shutouts in a season. Sunday marked his third-straight win, including his second after the 4 Nations break. His three shutouts are tied with seven others for seventh most in the NHL this season. Winnipeg's Connor Hellebuyck leads the league with six shutouts while five others have six shutouts. At 22-10-4, Hill ranks eighth in the NHL with his win total. Among netminders who have played in 36 games, Hill ranks 11th with his .906 save percentage while his goals-against average (2.52) now sits eight

W.G. Ramirez·Mar 2, 2025·Partner

Defensive-Minded Matyas Sapovaliv Bringing Offense Up To Speed With AHL's Henderson Silver Knights

Henderson Silver Knights forward Matyas Sapovaliv has 17 points (nine goals, eight assists) through 53 games. PHOTO CREDIT: Kaylie Phillips, Jades Media HENDERSON, Nev. -- The Golden Knights have always counted on their forwards to play a 200-foot game. Offensive skills aside, it's about making things happen in the defensive zone and being able to help create rushes through the neutral zone while setting things up in attack mode. But for prospect Matyas Sapovaliv, who has 17 points (nine goals, eight assists) through 53 games with the AHL's Henderson Silver Knights, he's ready to bring his offense up to speed, to match his defensive abilities. Drafted 48th overall by the Golden Knights in 2022, the second-round choice has been using his hockey IQ and defensive skills while honing in on his offensive game this season with the Silver Knights. "He came to us a smart player," Silver Knights coach Ryan Craig said. "He's valued from below our goal and all the way to the other end. And I think that's something that you don't always see at a young age like that. He's earned the trust of his teammates and his coaches." To his credit, Craig added, Sapovaliv already has the size of an NHL center, one who can cover space and who can handle exceptionally physical play when needed. It took some offseason training and a lot of eating, Sapovaliv said, to build upon his 6-foot-4 frame. From heavy lifting with compound movements - squats, deadlifts and bench press - to accessory movements that complemented his secondary muscles. As for the nutrition, Sapovaliv laughingly said he lost count of his caloric intake. "It was crazy sometimes," said Sapovaliv, who brings a solid 205 pounds to the ice. "I don't really know the calories off (the top of) my head, but it was too much." Aside from building size, one of the biggest things Sapovaliv is proud he's improved upon is skating. Though he's played hockey most of his life, there are nuances of the simple task of skating that he wanted to get better at, including speed. Henderson Silver Knights forward Matyas Sapovaliv spent the offseason building muscle behind heavy lifting that included compound movements of squats, deadlifts and bench press. PHOTO CREDIT: Kaylie Phillips, Jades Media "I just kept working on it (and) there's still space to get better," he said. "But I feel pretty confident now. I feel heavier on the ice and even faster than I was." He also said that his overall growth has made him a better facilitator. "I just like this role of being good on face-offs and playing kind of two-way game," he said. "I got more defensively when I turned pro, and now is the time to do something more offensively. But I really like my details defensively, and that's what I've been good for this team." Craig said as Sapovaliv continued to adapt to the system, excelling in the defensive zone became natural. "There's a lot asked with our centers, but his offensive game has started to take off," Craig said. "We've seen confidence with the puck, getting inside, finding ways to use his shot, but he still values that part of the game defensively, which has allowed him to play in all situations." Now, it's just a matter of putting things together before one day getting the call he's waited for his entire life and making the move to the NHL. "I'm trying to watch Brett Howden right now because he's kind of a two-way forward, too, playing lots of penalty kill; I feel that I can do something like he's doing," Sapovaliv said. "It's almost there, but Vegas is still a long way away. So just keep working on it, and keep playing my game and still showing them that I can (get) to the NHL level."

W.G. Ramirez·Feb 27, 2025·Partner

Silver Knights Goaltender Carl Lindbom Bolsters Rookie Campaign With 10 Wins In Last 11 Appearances

HENDERSON, Nev. -- Goaltender Carl Lindbom is having an eye-opening rookie season for the AHL's Silver Knights. Through 24 games, the Golden Knights' 2021 draft pick is 13-9-1 with a 2.64 goals-against average to accompany a .916 save percentage. "As I've said, I think our game is in a good spot right now," said Lindbom, after stopping 31 of 32 shots on goal, including 13 of 13 in the third period to secure a 2-1 Silver Knights victory over Coachella on Wednesday. "We're winning games, we're in every game, even if we lose we're right there. So our game is feeling good right now, for sure." And if the Silver Knights are feeling good, Lindbom must be feeling great. One need only take a gander at his last 11 appearances, a stretch the Golden Knights should be excited about if Lindbom is part of the organization's future plan between the pipes. The 21-year-old from Stockholm has won seven straight starts and is on a 10-1 win streak over his last 11 appearances, with a 2.15 GAA and .921 save percentage. "I feel like my game's feeling good right now," Lindbom told The Hockey News during a recent 1-on-1 chat. "I think in the beginning of the season, it's a little bit getting used to the smaller ice, but right now it's feeling good. "Working hard every day and I think we're playing pretty good. So obviously results come from that." Lindbom has obviously made the transition from an Olympic ice sheet to a North American rink, the difference being anywhere from 12-15 feet width-wise, but says he's not taking his success for granted and certainly isn't extinct from improving his overall game. "I believe (I need work with) a little bit of everything," Lindbom said. "I believe there are no real flaws in my game. I know that I can be better at handling the puck behind the net, still getting used to that since the rink is so much smaller, you get involved a lot more. "But I think just developing and playing games and getting used to the game over here is gonna be good for my development." Silver Knights coach Ryan Craig said he's become appreciative of Lindbom's work ethic and competitiveness, something that becomes contagious for the skaters in front of him. "I think for him individually, it's been a very good season," Craig said. "It's not over yet. For us, we've really been, I guess the word is, not surprised. But you didn't know how a guy from Europe was going to come over and adjust to the pro game. We heard he's a competitor. We saw that starting in rookie camp, and he's been everything with that. And I think the one thing for us is his hockey IQ, how he reads plays. Everyone says, 'Well he's got his size,' but he's square to the puck, the rebound control. He's become a very good goalie for us, and a goalie that our team trusts." Craig said goalie coach Freddie Brathwaite works extensively with each goaltender, including Lindbom, on not just fundamentals but specific things each netminder needs to hone in on. "We're not playing every second day, like the NHL," Craig said. "So there's certain things that between the organization (and) Freddie, that they work with Carl on. And I think everybody talks about the size of the rink, the adjustment, all that kind of stuff, the traffic that's here, maybe with the smaller rink, those have been adjustments. "And he's continued to work through those. It's building your game the same way a forward would build their game, the same way a defenseman builds their game. Those are things that I think you identify. And going back to Carl, he's continuing to build his game as a goalie, and we're reaping the benefits of it." Part of Lindbom's on-ice education, lending to his hockey IQ, was learning from losses in Sweden, especially after tending the net in a series Färjestad BK was swept. "I mainly used it as fuel," Lindbom said. "We had a great year last year, a great team back in Sweden. We were first in the regular season, and then we got swept in the playoffs by a really good playoff team. But I feel like we didn't really adapt to playoff hockey as a team, and that's obviously a big learning experience for me." Now, as part of an eight-year-old organization that has done nothing but cultivate winning and learning to play in the postseason since its inception into the NHL, Lindbom's patience has him in a good headspace, while his confidence in how the Golden Knights are bringing him along remains strong. "When you're just starting off as a pro, I think you're eager to get to the next level and you're almost a little bit stressed to get to that next level," Lindbom said. "But right now, I'm just focused on the next day (and) on the next game. Just doing my thing, working hard, and I think I'll get to where I want to go if I do that. "Obviously, (this is an) awesome organization that takes care of us and everything really well. Really professional organization. I know they've got a plan for me, and they're taking care of their part. It's just up to me to perform and develop and that's the only thing I can do. And hopefully, I'll be playing in Vegas sometime.

WillieGRamirez·Feb 23, 2025

Golden Knights Celebrate Black History Month, Continue Involvement In Historic West Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS -- What does five-time NBA champion Earvin "Magic" Johnson, eight-time Grand Slam singles champion Andre Agassi, Super Bowl champion Frank Hawkins and the 2022-23 Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights have in common? It's quite a mix, but the common denominator is Historic West Las Vegas, the predominately Black community that dates back to an area that was booming in the 1940s and 50s, endured segregation, survived plight and has seen revitalization thanks to many, including the aforementioned sports icons. The area commonly referred to as "the Westside" is just as popular to Las Vegas historians as Las Vegas Boulevard. While the efforts of Agassi, Johnson and Hawkins date back to the 1990s, the Golden Knights organization wasted no time since its arrival in Southern Nevada to ensure the entire community is included while introducing hockey to local residents. "We still have a long way to go, but I can see the strides we're making and we're working towards positivity in the best way possible," said Carnell Johnson, the trained opera singer affectionately known as Golden Pipes. "Especially with something like hockey. You see a lot of African American kids out there playing basketball, playing football. You don't see a lot of them playing hockey. "And so it's kind of cool seeing those programs in schools, inner-city schools, where there's high African American population getting these kids out and teaching them a game that we've all grown to know and love." Prior to belting out the Star Spangled Banner before Saturday night's game against Vancouver, Johnson beamed with pride sitting alongside dee jay Joe Green, emcee Robert 'Bojo' Ackah and senior motion graphic designer Jalen Jones. The quartet held an impromptu press conference and discussed their roles with the organization and the significance of the team's annual celebration of Black History Month. PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE ME "It's amazing," said Green, who's been providing reverberating vibes throughout T-Mobile Arena since the team arrived. "Being born here and seeing the city develop into a position where people who look like me and my children want to be involved in hockey or look at me and say, 'Hey, I want to do that. I want to be a part of this. I want to be a part of this organization that embraces individuality and different cultures.' "It's beautiful. I love it." For Jones, the pride carried a different vibe. "A lot of the people that we idolize are either athletes or musicians," Jones said. "So being able to be in the position that I'm in as a motion graphics person, like this wasn't something that I knew I could even do growing up. So to be in this position and then be able to go to schools, or be in the community, see little kids coming up and show them what I do, they're like, 'Woah, that's super cool. I didn't know that was a thing that you could do.' I didn't either." Now that he does, on a professional sports level, Jones said it was rewarding and gratifying to design a logo that provided an uplifting tone for Saturday's celebration of Black History. The logo's theme "Black History Means" shines a spotlight on the positive aspects and contributions of Black people and their history. The logo was showcased on KnightTron, the gameday poster and throughout T-Mobile Arena during the game, won by the Golden Knights, 3-1. It marked the fourth consecutive year that Jones has created unique VGK artwork for Black History Month. "We have a history of trauma in the United States, that's no secret," Jones said. "But we also have all these other things that encompass what we are and what we've done, and I think that's important to know, remember and keep in our minds moving forward." Ackah, who locals have recognized as in-arena host "Bojo" for years, said he's felt the organization's vibe since the very first home game when he attended a fan and vowed to one day hold a microphone atop "The Fortress." "With this organization, when it came into its existence, they grasped the entire city," Ackah said. "And whether you were White, Black, Brown - they grasped everybody. I wasn't with the organization in 2017 and I was at game one. Obviously right after Oct. 1 ... the way the team embraced the city when we were all hurting, it didn't matter what color you were, it's just something that you wanted to be a part of. "It didn't even matter if you're a hockey fan. I wasn't the biggest hockey fan. I'm a sports fan that was very passionate about this city. And I saw what the Golden Knights organization, the team, how they were here to support our city, and I was all in and I was like, 'One day, I know I'm rocking the mic. I gotta rock the mic for this organization.' And so it just all made sense for me." GETTING INVOLVED Since their arrival, the Golden Knights have seen hockey participation grow exponentially. They've also infused themselves into pockets of Southern Nevada by installing ball hockey rinks and holding clinics at various community centers, including Historic West Las Vegas. Most recently, the Golden Knights, the Donna Street Community Center and national nonprofit KABOOM! constructed a new playground at Centennial Park Apartments in North Las Vegas at an area that was once riddled with crime and known as claimed territory for a specific gang. Hawkins, who played football at Western High School before attending Nevada and eventually winning a Super Bowl ring with the Los Angeles Raiders, returned home and helped revitalize many areas while entering the political realm. His involvement during his term as city councilman and thereafter as a consultant and businessman has resulted in the investment of more than $100 million in building single-family homes and affordable senior and family apartments over the last 25 years. Agassi was an investor in a Boys and Girls Club and created a charter school and after the riots in 1992 resulting from the Rodney King verdict, Johnson helped fund the rebuild of one of the most famous shopping centers in Historic West Las Vegas, the Nucleus Plaza. "I love this city, and the Black community is as historic as any other community," Hawkins said. "Magic Johnson has invested his time, millions of dollars, and his big smile in the Las Vegas community. Andre Agassi, a local boy, has given back to his community by building charter schools, and community centers, investing millions. "So I was impressed to see the Golden Knights in my neighborhood Smith's giving away gift cards to the community during Christmas." Ackah said it comes down to representation by allowing others to see the path laid for him, Green, Johnson and Jones, and following the trail they're hoping to blaze for the next generation. "Ultimately, we look like the city," Ackah said. "This is such a diverse city, and the fact that it's hockey, it almost makes sense because, hey, you know what maybe the guys on the ice might be more Caucasian, but I'm sorry, the rest of the city looks like us. It's such a diverse city, and the way that we can represent for the team, it just makes such a world of a difference for others, and especially our kids and the ones coming up after us. "I think there's got to be a sense of pride knowing where we're at right now and how things used to be. We wouldn't be here for those who blazed the path for us prior. But now we're here, and we take pride in that. And so now, hopefully, we're knocking down doors for people coming after us." Added Green: "It's our turn to do the same."

WillieGRamirez·Feb 20, 2025

As 4 Nations Face-Off Concludes, Golden Knights Russian Trio Hopeful Russia Returns To International Competition

LAS VEGAS -- As Team USA and Team Canada prepare for their epic gold medal game in the 4 Nations Face-Off on Thursday, one can't help but wonder what this event would be like if Russia had been included. Russia remains banned from international competition, and while this is an NHL-sanctioned event, the league continues to recognize the International Ice Hockey Federation's decision to keep a country with some of the world's best talent in the penalty box. That said, that hasn't doused the curiosity of the hockey world as to what a Russian lineup would look like. Even further, it hasn't stopped Russian players from sharing their thoughts. Vegas Golden Knights forward Ivan Barbashev a name that has popped up on several projected lineups if Russia was in the competing, said he hasn't spent much time watching the games, as he's been enjoying time with his kids. "I just don't have time for it, to be honest," said the 29-year-old two-time Stanley Cup champion who has represented Russia in five events as a junior. "I might catch, like, maybe 10 or 15 minutes of the game, and I'll just be playing with the kids. I mean, I don't really care, to be honest. I had a pretty good nine days off at the same time. "It'd probably be nice to be there. I think it would (make) things really interesting ... like it just probably (would) be more interesting if Russia was there. You know, like to bring more countries in that thing. It is what it is." Forward Pavel Dorofeyev, 24, last represented his country in 2020 and would have loved to be involved with 4 Nations. "I mean, it (would) be fun," Dorofeyev said. "It (would) be a great experience, especially for me, because I wasn't very much on a national team. So, last time when I played was World Juniors, and then one more tournament and that's it. It's been like four years, maybe five. I didn't think much about it, but it is what it is. (I'm) just enjoying watching the games right now." Whether he would have received an invite to participate, Dorofeyev definitely believes Russia should be included at some point. "Why not?" he said. "We got a bunch of good players. So I think we could be a good team out there." Golden Knights netminder Ilya Samsonov didn't offer a prediction on the title game with "a lot of friends on both teams," but did say Russia's involvement in international competition would be nice to see again. "Everybody knows we want to play again in Olympic Games, and four nationals, maybe five nationals, you never know," said Samsonov, 27. "Doesn't matter which name is tournament ... we still miss big hockey (events) for sure. We're just waiting until we start to play again. Yeah, (we) miss all of this." Samsonov, who represented Russia four times in juniors, added there is a little heartbreak to know his home country remains on the outside looking in. "Yeah, you know, like, for sure, it's hurt," he said. "Everybody want to play in a championship, Olympic games, like this tournament. It's really important for us, friends, for people in Russia, for family. But I'm trying to don't think about this too much. We have what we have right now ... and try to enjoy ... NHL."

WillieGRamirez·Nov 29, 2024

OPINION: It's Time We Start Mentioning Jack Eichel In Every Hart Trophy Conversation

As of Friday, at DraftKings, Kirill Kaprizov (+285) is the favorite, followed by Connor McDavid (+300), Nathan MacKinnon (+500), Nikita Kucherov (+750), Martin Necas (+1800) and then Jack Eichel (+2000).

thehockeynews.comOPINION: It's Time We Start Mentioning Jack Eichel In Every Hart Trophy ConversationAs of Friday, at DraftKings, Kirill Kaprizov (+285) is the favorite, followed by Connor McDavid (+300), Nathan MacKinnon (+500), Nikita Kucherov (+750), Martin Necas (+1800) and then Jack Eichel (+2000).