The Pacific Division-leading Vegas Golden Knights will begin a challenging three-game road trip on Saturday when they face the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers in Sunrise, Fla.
It’s the start of a week of matchups that will provide a major measuring stick for coach Bruce Cassidy’s squad, one of two teams yet to lose in regulation this season. On a four-game winning streak, Vegas plays at Tampa Bay on Sunday night, then visits Metropolitan Division co-leader Carolina on Tuesday before returning home to host NHL points leader Colorado next Friday.
“I think our group are smart guys,” Cassidy said when asked about his team’s schedule. “They know what they’re going to see this week and what the challenge will be, and it will be a good challenge for us.”
It’s a challenge that will have to be made without three key starters in forward Mark Stone, who is tied for the league lead in assists with 11 and was put on long-term injured reserve this week with a left wrist injury; starting goalie Adin Hill, who is week-to-week with a left leg injury suffered in the first period of Monday’s 4-1 win over Carolina; and standout defenseman Noah Hanifin (lower-body injury).
Cassidy said left wing Brett Howden (lower body), who has missed the past four games, is “trending” toward returning for Saturday’s game.
Akira Schmid, who is 4-0-0 with a 2.57 goals-against average, will take over Hill’s starting spot. Carl Lindbom, who split time with Schmid last season at AHL Henderson, was recalled on Wednesday and is expected to make his NHL debut this weekend.
“We think he’s a legitimate prospect,” Cassidy said. “He’s a great kid, he works hard. He’ll do everything he can do to prepare himself.”
The 22-year-old Lindbom, a seventh-round pick in 2021 from Stockholm, is 1-0-1 with a .958 save percentage with Henderson this season.
The Golden Knights, who defeated Florida in five games to win the 2023 Stanley Cup, won’t get any sympathy from the Panthers when it comes to injuries.
Florida, which has lost five of six games since a 3-0-0 start, is without 2023 All-Star Game MVP Matthew Tkachuk, who had surgery for a torn adductor and a sports hernia, until at least December. Star center and captain Aleksander Barkov, who suffered a major knee injury that required surgery in training camp, is expected to miss most of the season. The Panthers are averaging just 2.44 goals per game which ranks 29th in the 32-team league.
Florida comes in off a 5-3 loss to visiting Pittsburgh on Thursday. Sidney Crosby had two goals and an assist to lead the Penguins, including a power-play goal midway through the third period for the final score of the game.
Florida lost despite finishing with huge edges in shots on goal (37-17) and scoring chances (39-17).
“They just seemed to capitalize on their opportunities,” said forward Brad Marchand, who scored two goals. “We controlled from after the first period on. We really controlled that game. It just seemed like every time we pushed, they’d make one play.”
The Panthers outshot Pittsburgh 18-4 in the third period but both teams came away with two goals.
“I think we got a lot of shots. We just have to be right in front of the goalie to make it harder for him,” center Eetu Luostarinen said. “It’s been a lot of one-goal games. We just have to find a way to win those games.”
