Three storylines
Big test. The schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Golden Knights, who faced five playoff teams in their first seven games. Anaheim sits atop the Pacific Division with 11 points, five ahead of the Knights, and is riding a two-game winning streak.
The specials. The
Knights went 6-for-6 on the penalty kill in Tuesday’s victory over Buffalo to open the five-game homestand. That unit will be tested against the Ducks, who are tied for seventh overall on the power play at 27.8 percent and have converted 4 of 9 chances in four road games.
Low total. Afteraslow start, Knights goaltender Marc-andre Fleury has allowed one goal in his past 129plus minutes of work. Anaheim counterpart John Gibson has been key to the Ducks’ hot start and is tied for second in the league with a .948 save percentage.
David Schoen
Heskatedonhisown before Friday’s practice and won’t be in the lineup when the Knights face first-place Anaheim at 7 p.m. Saturday at T-mobile Arena.
The 6-foot-4-inch, 222-pound Tuch was a firstround pick of the Minnesota Wild in 2014 out of Boston College.
He posted 37 points (15 goals,22assists)and27penalty minutes in 78 games as a rookie after being acquired from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a thirdround pick and selecting
Erik Haula in the expansion draft.
Tuch appeared in all 20 postseason games, recording six goals and 10 points. But his most memorable moment came in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final when Washington goaltender Braden Holtby made a diving stop on Tuch’s shot in the final two minutes.
“He was given a great opportunity in Vegas and he tookthattoheart,”bartlett said. “He had a great year, and Alex couldn’t be any moreexcitedtotrytohave an entire career in Vegas.”
Contact David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal. com or 702-387-5203. Follow @Davidschoenlvrj on Twitter.