One more to go, and the games will count for real for the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Knights are expected to go with as close to their NHL lineup in their preseason finale Saturday against the San Jose Sharks at T-Mobile Arena.
Thus will begin the fun of another season and eliminate all the groaning and complaining that comes with exhibition hockey.
Coach Ryan Craig stressed execution heading into the fourth and final preseason game. It lacked in the first period Thursday, given it was the first game for most of the players in three months.
That translates to attention to detail, Craig said. Knowing when to get sticks on the ice. Improving execution to get out of those bad situations.
He felt as Thursday went on, the Knights got better. That showed in the final 40 minutes, notably with the third-period rally to force overtime that led to a 5-4 win over the Utah Mammoth.
“I thought we had really good intentions on our support,” Craig said. “Now it’s just a matter of upping the execution, which will come as it being game two (for the veterans).”
The Knights dressed close to a full lineup Thursday. The only difference was Jonas Røndbjerg getting one more look on the fourth line to determine who on the bubble will make the opening night roster.
Finalizing rosters
Craig said the Knights will have “probably close to a full lineup” against San Jose. That would include Marc Gatcomb getting his third preseason game, this time skating with Braeden Bowman and center Nic Dowd on the fourth line.
The newcomer from the New York Islanders has shown good speed on the forecheck and the willingness to throw his body around. Those are traits the Knights are looking for in a fourth liner.
“Marc’s done a great job,” Craig said. “He’s a guy that’s earned an opportunity, for sure. Somebody we’ve liked when we brought in. He’s come in and played as advertised. What he can bring us is some of that energy.”
This could be as close to a regular-season dress rehearsal as can be. The Sharks are expected to ice near a full lineup. That includes 20-year-old Macklin Celebrini, who was named the Sharks’ youngest captain in team history Friday.
San Jose beat the Anaheim Ducks’ AHL-heavy team 10-0 at SAP Center on Thursday.
It could be a wake-up call for both teams — especially the Knights with them opening the season Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks.
“It’s the first game in a long time, so timing of things, reading off each other,” forward Brett Howden said. “There’s things with the puck. You haven’t done it in awhile. It’s timing and reacting. It’ll get better as time goes on.”
One more look for the kid
It could also be the final look at top prospect Trevor Connelly before a decision is made on him making the NHL roster.
Connelly played 12 minutes, 32 seconds and was a plus-1 in his first game at T-Mobile Arena. He didn’t get on the scoreboard sheet, but the 20-year-old was noticeable every time he touched the ice.
He took some shifts in the second period with center Jack Eichel and captain Mark Stone. Stone set up Connelly for a breakaway attempt, but he missed wide.
“I think there was a little bit of nerves. (I had) never played in that rink before,” Connelly said. “Looking around in warmups, I was like, ‘this is awesome. It’s so cool.’ I felt comfortable and I felt like I had a good game.”
Eichel felt the same way.
“Trevor was really noticeable,” he said. “It was great to see that for him. It’s his first crack at it. Really happy for him. I thought he played great. He’s going to be a big part of this group.”
Contact Danny Webster at dwebster@reviewjournal.com. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.
Up next
Who: Sharks at Golden Knights
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: T-Mobile Arena
TV: KMCC-34
Radio: KVGS 107.9 FM
Streaming: KnightTime+
