PREVIEW

Just the Facts

Who: The Las Vegas Golden Knights and the Boston Bruins square off for the first of two matches during the ‘18-’19 regular season.

What: Vegas looks a little worse for wear after free agency, but still have former Bruins Malcolm Subban, Colin Miller, Reilly Smith, and Nick Holden on their payroll. There are spies in crucial places, yes. They did gain Max Pacioretty on the trade market over the summer as well.

When: 7:00 PM

Where: TD Garden, Boston, MA

How to watch: NESN, ATTSN-RM

Rival SBN site: Knights on Ice

Know Your Enemy

After a ridiculous run to the Stanley Cup Finals in their first season as a team, the Golden Knights have reduced their roster costs and relieved themselves of a few contracts. While that was likely the best move for the long-term health of the franchise, it will sting for Vegas fans as the team returns to earth a little bit. They currently hold a 7-9-1 record, good for 15 points and tied for 11th in the West. (As of this morning, they’re only three points out of a playoff spot, but it’s too early to say.)

Team Leaders

Goals: Jonathan Marchessault, 8

Assists: William Karlsson, 10

Points: Marchessault, 15

Other notes: ‘17-’18 Vegas savior (and saver) Marc-Andre Fleury has seen his classical stats return to earth in lockstep with his team, sporting an .895 save percentage and 2.79 GAA. In more fancystats, he’s saved over seven goals fewer than he should be expected to, which by this point in the season is a high number. (Surprisingly, not the lowest in the league based on starters.)

Game Notes

• We’ve now seen the best and worst of the Bruins over the course of two games. With their third game in four nights, how will Boston respond to a solid win after playing a game the night before? Will they coast, as they did against Vancouver, or will they control play and charge at the Knights?
• This game figures to be played a bit tighter. Boston is at, and Vegas is near, the top of the league in expected goals allowed, meaning they’re likely to stifle each other’s offense. In contrast, Vegas is top three in expected goals for, while Boston slides way, WAY down to #21. If the Bruins are expected to score 2.18 or fewer goals in any given game, can they push themselves to be the better offensive team? One line says yes, anyways.
• After being called up to Boston on Saturday morning, goalie Dan Vladar will continue to ride the pine and open and close bench doors. Also recently called up, forward Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson figures to stick in the lineup after a strong performance.

Hype yourselves with the highlights from last night’s game, and we’ll be with you again throughout the day for line posts, game day threads, and more!