LAS VEGAS – It’s not ideal to come home from a grueling 5,200-mile road trip and then play back-to-back games. That’s the challenge that is front of the Vegas Golden Knights as they host the Winnipeg Jets at T-Mobile Arena on Friday. The puck drop is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Pacific time.
“Not the best schedule right now. I think everybody goes through it, especially this year with the Four Nations,” Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. “It’s really condensed, so we’re hitting it now. I think Winnipeg’s going through it now. Other teams might be later, but for us it’s now. But you’ve got to play the games in front of you.”
Vegas went 3-1-1 on its road trip, acquiring seven points out of a possible 10. There were pockets of good and bad, but overall, the results speak for themselves.
“I thought we had a good road trip,” Cassidy said. “We found ways to get points, even though we weren’t at our best for 60 minutes.”
Golden Knights Roster Update
Forward Victor Olofsson skated this morning during the Golden Knights’ optional skate. He will not play against the Jets, but his return seems imminent.
“He’s closer, but he’s the guys this morning,” Cassidy said. “Olofsson did go to Henderson to be around bodies. That helps. He’s probably the next guy in our lineup.”
As for captain and forward Mark Stone, Cassidy offered little regarding when Stone will return.
“He’s skating, but until he joins us, he’s day to day,” Cassidy said.
About the Jets
The Jets come into the game with an NHL-best 18-5 record. Vezina winner Connor Hellebuyck is having another fine season. He’s 15-3 with a 2.11 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage.
The Jets roll out four lines, making them a difficult team to match up.
Kyle Connor leads the team with 28 points and 13 goals. Mark Scheifele has 26 points and 12 goals, while Josh Morrissey leads the team in assists with 18.
Cassidy highlighted the third forward line of Nino Niederreiter, Adam Lowry and Mason Appleton as a line to look out for.
“The goalie is playing very well,” Cassidy said. “That third line is underrated, that Lowry line. They do a good job now. Normally, they try to take the other team’s top players out of the game with one of their lines. They’re also scoring, so when that happens, that’s a double whammy for the opposition. Their top guys are playing well.
“Not a lot of cracks in the armor right now. They’ve been a good team for years.”
Paul Delos Santos is the Las Vegas sports insider for Dice City Sports. Follow him on X at @PaulDelos_.
