Marc-Andre Fleury not expected to join Golden Knights on trip

Marc-Andre Fleury might be healthy enough to go masquerading at Halloween parties, but he’s not quite ready to return to the ice.

Coach Gerard Gallant said before Friday’s 7-0 victory over the Colorado Avalanche at T-Mobile Arena that Fleury has not been cleared to practice and won’t be with the team when it begins its six-game trip Monday against the New York Islanders.

“He’s getting better each day, but we don’t expect him to be ready to start the trip,” Gallant said.

Fleury has been out with a concussion since Oct. 13, when he was hit in the head in the second period of a 6-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Gallant said earlier in the week that Fleury was days from getting back on the ice.

Many moves made

It was a busy Friday morning for Knights general manager George McPhee.

McPhee made three roster moves, activating center Erik Haula off the injured reserve list, putting defenseman Jason Garrison on waivers and sending defenseman Griffin Reinhart to Chicago of the American Hockey League on a conditioning assignment.

Also, center Vadim Shipachyov reported to the Wolves late Thursday and skated with the team Friday before Chicago’s game against Grand Rapids but did not play. Shipachyov was reassigned Tuesday after center Jonathan Marchessault was activated off the IR.

Haula, who suffered a lower-body injury Oct. 13 against Detroit, had an opportunity to reunite with linemates Alex Tuch and Oscar Lindberg on Friday against Colorado. Haula scored in the third period, his second goal this season.

“I felt pretty good, and it was nice to be able to contribute,” Haula said. “It was a great team win, and I’m glad to be part of it.”

Reinhart remains a member of the 23-man roster and can be recalled at any time. He has been a healthy scratch in eight previous games before Friday’s conditioning reassignment. Assuming Garrison clears waivers, he also will report to Chicago.

Friday’s healthy scratches for the Knights were defenseman Jon Merrill and left wing Brendan Leipsic.

Neal back on track

James Neal got roughed up in the first period when he took a high stick from Colorado’s Patrick Nemeth and missed the second part of the period, as he reportedly lost two teeth. But he came back out for the second period and assisted on Cody Eakin’s goal that made the score 3-0, then tipped in Colin Miller’s shot from the point to make it 4-0.

The goal was Neal’s seventh of the season and ended a four-game scoring drought after he had six in his first four games.

“I think he lost some teeth, but I’m not sure,” Gallant said.

Neal was not made available to the media after the game.

Second-period magic

The Knights continue to dominate their opponents in the second period.

They outscored Colorado 4-0 on Friday, and for the season, the Knights have scored 15 goals and allowed two in the second period. They are a plus 13, the best in the NHL. Los Angeles at plus 7 is second.

“I don’t know what it is,” Gallant said. “We’re just trying to play a full 60 minutes.”

Contact Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow @stevecarprj on Twitter.