The Vegas Golden Knights (8-3-0) are hoping to get back in the win column tonight. In order to do so, they will take on the Boston Bruins (4-3-3) at the TD Garden in Boston.
The Bruins, much like the Golden Knights, enter on a two-game losing streak.
The Golden Knights will have to watch out for the red-hot Patrice Bergeron, who has tallied six points in his last five games, as well as Brad Marchand, who has 13 points in 10 games to start the season.
The Bruins will send out Tuukka Rask to cover the net duties and the Golden Knights will counter with Maxime Lagace.
Can Maxime Lagace get back on track?
Lagace is the Golden Knights’ fourth-string goalie and has looked the role, posting an awful 6.35 goals-against average and a .813 save percentage in his two games so far (one start).
Lagace will have to repeat what Oscar Dansk and Malcolm Subban did in their unexpected duties. In order to replicate those types of performances, he’ll need to be solid in net tonight. The Golden Knights are in desperate need for a victory, especially after giving up four third-period goals on Tuesday against the New York Rangers. Other than that third period which saw Vegas’ defense fold like a bad poker hand, the Golden Knights were playing well. It’ll need to be a full 60-minute game.
Can the Golden Knights fix their penalty kill?
The Golden Knights’ penalty kill has been rather solid, sans Tuesday night. With Boston at nearly full strength — Bergeron did not play in the Bruins’ first meeting against Vegas on Oct. 15, which they lost 3-1 — Vegas can’t afford to take too many penalties. The lack of David Backes will hurt Boston for sure though.
The Golden Knights have allowed four power-play goals in the past 10 attempts.
The Golden Knights head into tonight’s game with the 21st-ranked penalty kill in the league (79.5 percent). They will be up against the fourth best power-play in the league in Boston. Look out!
How to watch
TV: AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain
Radio: Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM
Time: 4 p.m. PT