The Golden Knights will attempt to break a rare two game losing streak when the face the San Jose Sharks, winners of two straight, at T-Mobile Arena tonight.
VGK has cooled off after its run of earning points in its first 12 games. The Golden Knights come off a road loss in Anaheim and a regulation loss on home ice this week to the L.A. Kings, 4-1.
The Sharks began the season winless at 0-10-1. In fact they gave up ten goals in consecutive games, losing 10-1 to the Canucks and 10-2 against the Penguins. They came back to win the next two games vs the Flyers and Thursday night against the slumping Oilers, 4-1.
The Golden Knights have been fighting the injury bug. Chandler Stephenson is expected to miss his second straight game. Fourth line center Nic Roy is still out due to injury. Defenseman Alec Martinez returned for the Kings game after missing the short road trip against the Ducks. Fellow blueliner Zach Whitecloud is expected to play soon, after his first contact practice this week. He has been cleared to play either tonight or on the upcoming five-game road trip.
VGK defeated the Sharks earlier this season (Oct. 12) in San Jose, 4-1. The Golden Knights had two-point performances from Nic Hague and William Karlsson. Logan Thompson stopped 22 of 23 shots on net.
The Sharks are rebuilding under head coach David Quinn. They traded Timo Meier and Erik Karlsson away. Goalie Mackenzie Blackwood was acquired from New Jersey and posted the two wins this week for San Jose. His goals against average has been 4.00 this season, despite a rebuilt defense in front of him. VGK will probably see Kaapo Kahkonen, who has yet to get a win this season, between the pipes.
Faceoff for Friday night's Military Appreciation Knight is at 7pm.