The Golden Knights are coming off a thrilling win against the Ottawa Senators in which Jonathan Marchessault lifted Vegas to a 3-2 victory on a penalty shot in overtime. The Knights showed resilience throughout the contest, fighting back from a two-goal deficit in the second period and a one-goal deficit in the third as Alex Tuch scored his first two goals of the season and Ryan Reaves scored his third goal in the last four games.
But it was Marchessault who played the hero by scoring on a sudden-death penalty shot in overtime, beating Senators netminder Craig Anderson, who had stopped 49 of 52 shots in regulation.
Vegas also set a team record in shots with 53, which is something they will look to bring to tonight’s matchup against the Predators, who have given up 13 goals in their last three games. With Pekka Rinne on injured reserve, Juuse Saros has struggled in recent games, which is something Vegas will have to take advantage of in a roudy Bridgestone Arena.
Cody Eakin took part in today’s morning skate, which is a great sign considering he did not return to the game after taking a hit from Senators defenseman Mark Borowiecki, who was subsequently handed a three-game suspension by the Department of Player Safety.
Based on morning skate, Tomas Nosek could draw back into the lineup in place of Oscar Lindberg. Max Pacioretty’s status for tonight is unknown, though the likelihood of him playing seems slim.
Malcolm Subban has been confirmed as Vegas’ starter in tonight’s matchup, meaning this will be part two of Subban vs. Subban as Malcolm takes on brother, P.K., for two key points as well as family bragging rights. Malcolm made 41 saves on 44 shots in Nashville last year, taking home a 4-3 win in the shootout.
Here are the projected lineups for both clubs:
Golden Knights
Marchessault — Karlsson — Smith
Hyka — Haula — Tuch
Nosek — Eakin — Carpenter
Carrier — Bellemare — Reaves
McNabb — Miller
Theodore — Engelland
Merrill — Holden
Subban
Fleury
Predators
Forsberg (#9) — Johansen (#92) — Arvidsson (#33)
Jarnkrok (#19) — Turris (#8) — Smith (#15)
Fiala (#22) — Sissons (#10) — Hartman (#38)
Rinaldo (#36) — Bonino (#13) — Grimaldi (#23)
Josi (#59) — Ellis (#4)
Ekholm (#14) — Subban (#76)
Irwin (#52) — Y. Weber (#7)
Saros (#74)
Grosenick (#1)
Let’s discuss!