Thursday’s 6-2 loss against the Los Angeles Kings proved to be quite costly for the Vegas Golden Knights.
Elliotte Friedman reported that Max Pacioretty is out approximately six weeks early Saturday morning.
Vegas suffered some injuries during Thursday’s loss to LA. Hearing Max Pacioretty out approximately 6 weeks, while Golden Knights await further clarity on Mark Stone. Tough early-season blow.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 16, 2021
Later, there was more clarity from the team about Pacioretty and Mark Stone, who left Thursday’s game after aggravating a nagging injury.
Head coach Pete DeBoer confirmed that Pacioretty has a fracture and is week-to-week, but he did not clarify what was fractured. Multiple reports claim that it was a foot injury.
Pacioretty was seen grimacing while skating back to the bench in the second period of Thursday’s matchup with the Kings but did not leave the game.
Pacioretty staying on the ice, but even he’s grimacing. pic.twitter.com/hYdgfOKBJk
— Danny Webster (@DannyWebster21) October 15, 2021
DeBoer also gave an update on Stone, saying that he is day-to-day as the team continues the evaluation process on the captain.
Nic Roy, Brett Howden, and William Carrier all skated on Saturday morning and could practice with the team on Monday, per DeBoer.
The Golden Knights organizational depth will be tested early this season and the team will have to rely on the boosted bottom-six to drive scoring while 2/3rds of the first line are absent of the lineup.
The Knights will have time to figure out their injury situation as they do not play until Wednesday against the St. Louis Blues.