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What happened to the Knights’ dominance on home ice? Saturday’s setback against Columbus was their third straight loss at T-mobile Arena, the first time that’s happened all season. They’ve only lost four straight at home once in franchise history.

Rotation time?

Knights. But the winger’s production has declined (16 goals in 55 games) and Mcphee may be hesitant to part with a first-round pick if that’s the price to acquire the 30-year-old.

“We have cap space to do things, but the inclination is to not take on rentals,” Mcphee said.

‘A fine line’

Andre Burakovsky of Washington (15 points in 49 games) has been on the trading block most of the season and could be a less expensive alternative to bolster the third line.

Burakovsky, 24, will be a restricted free agent, and Mcphee drafted him in the first round in 2013 when he was the Capitals GM.

“(The players) want to make sure we’re playing well and working hard and giving ourselves the best chance to win,” coach Gerard Gallant said. “On the other side of it you look and say, ‘Well, what do we need to make us better?’ I think it’s a fine line, and if you’re going to get somebody, make sure it’s the right people.”

Mcphee showed last year he can be creative at the deadline, when he helped facilitate Pittsburgh’s move for Derick Brassard and acquired Reaves from the Penguins.

The Knights own the rights to Russian forward Nikita Gusev and also could use that as a potential bargaining chip for a team like, say, Florida, which is clearing cap room as it chases Russian stars Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky of Columbus.

“We don’t know what is going to go on with our team,” left wing Max Pacioretty said, “but at the same time, we want to try and force (management’s) hand and make sure they know that everyone in this room wants to play for each other and play together because we have high hopes for this group.”

Contact David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow @ Davidschoenlvrj on Twitter.