Gallant plans for vets later

Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant said he thinks the final three exhibition games are about preparing the NHL roster for the regular season.

The first few on the seven-game docket, which begins Sunday with a 5 p.m. matchup against the Arizona Coyotes at T-Mobile Arena, have different goals attached.

“It’s early in training camp,” Gallant said Saturday. “I’m not putting a lot into these games. For me, the last three games are really important for us, but these upcoming games are about giving guys some opportunities.”

NHL rules stipulate at least eight veterans must be active for each team in the preseason.

For the purposes of the rule, a veteran is defined as a forward or defenseman who played in at least 30 games last season, a goaltender who either played in 30 or dressed for 50 games last season, a first-round pick from the 2018 draft or any player who has logged more than 100 NHL games in their career.

Looking good

Forward Ryan Reaves was back at practice Saturday, 24 hours after he received stitches for a cut near the bridge of his nose suffered when he was nicked by a skate.

“Everything’s good,” Reaves said. “The doctor said my modeling career’s still intact, so my spirits are high.”

Fitting in

Forward Alex Tuch had rave reviews for new teammates Max Pacioretty and Paul Stastny, a trio that could be the Knights’ second line this season.

“They’re unbelievable guys,” Tuch said. “I sat next to them at them at dinner and we were already cracking jokes. They’ve been around the block. It will be great to be on the same team. I’m going to try to learn as much as I can from them.”