Vegas plans home tribute to shooting victims

LAS VEGAS — The Vegas Golden Knights will be sensitive to the mass shooting that transpired just over a week ago when the expansion team plays its first game at home on Tuesday.

“Plans that were on the drawing board to celebrate the first regular-season game have been modified (out of) respect to the terrible tragedy,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “What will take place will be in the spirit of what I believe sports teams mean to a community — bringing people together in a sense of unity.”

Stephen Paddock opened fire from his Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino hotel room during an outdoor concert on the Las Vegas Strip, killing 58 and injuring 489 in what is the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

Vegas, which is 2-0-0, will play the Arizona Coyotes (7 p.m., Arizona time, NBCSN).

“It’s not going to be a typical opener – we will save that for Friday,” Golden Knights general manager George McPhee said. “(Tuesday) night is not about us. It’s about honoring and remembering the victims, supporting their families and recognizing the first responders who did tremendous work.”

Golden Knights defenseman Deryk Engelland has spent his offseasons in Las Vegas for 14 years and said he expects Tuesday’s pre-game ceremony to touch everyone in the city.

“There are going to be a lot of emotions,” Engelland said.

“Because of the tragedy, I don’t know if words can describe how emotional it will be. … We have to do our part to help this city past this whole ordeal.”

The Golden Knights are Las Vegas’ first team from one of the four major sports.