Golden Knights remain focused during holiday homestand
By David Schoen Las Vegas Review-Journal
Golden Knights left wing James Neal (18) celebrates after teammate Shea Theodore (27) scored the go-ahead goal in the third period during Vegas’ home matchup with the Tampa Bay Lighting on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, at T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas. The Golden Knights beat the Lighting 4-3. Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto
Golden Knights left wing Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (41) collides with Tampa Bay goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) in the second period during Vegas’ home matchup with the Lighting on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, at T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas. The Golden Knights beat the Lighting 4-3. Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto
El arquero Marc-André Fleury de Golden Knights, regresó al hielo luego de una lesión. 12 de diciembre de 2017 en T-Mobile Arena. Foto Cristian De la Rosa / El Tiempo.
Tampa Bay goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) and defenseman Mikhail Sergachev (98) block the shot of Golden Knights left wing James Neal (18) in the second period during the Lightning’s road matchup with Vegas on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, at T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas. The Golden Knights beat the Lighting 4-3. Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto
Tampa Bay goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) makes a save against Golden Knights defenseman Colin Miller (6) in the second period during the Lightning’s road matchup with Vegas on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, at T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas. The Golden Knights beat the Lighting 4-3. Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto
Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) and defenseman Nate Schmidt (88) fight for the puck against Tampa Bay center Vladislav Namestnikov (90) in the second period during Vegas’ home matchup with the Lighting on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, at T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas. The Golden Knights beat the Lighting 4-3. Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto
Tampa Bay goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) makes a save against Golden Knights center Jonathan Marchessault (81) in the third period during the Lightning’s road matchup with Vegas on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, at T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas. The Golden Knights beat the Lighting 4-3. Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto
Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) makes a save against Tampa Bay right wing J.T. Brown (23) in the second during Vegas’ home matchup with the Lighting on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, at T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas. The Golden Knights beat the Lighting 4-3. Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto
Golden Knights center Jonathan Marchessault (81) celebrates with James Neal (18) after scoring a second period goal during Vegas’ home matchup with the Lighting on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, at T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas. The Golden Knights beat the Lighting 4-3. Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto
Golden Knights’ center Jonathan Marchessault (81) moves the puck against Florida Panthers’ Mike Matheson (19) during an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. The Golden Knights won 5-2. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Golden Knights head coach Gerard Gallant on the bench as his team takes on the Florida Panthers during an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Golden Knights’ Erik Haula (56) tries to score on Florida Panthers goalie James Reimer (34) during an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Golden Knights goalie Malcolm Subban (30) defends against the Florida Panthers during an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Florida Panthers goalie James Reimer (34), with help from Ian McCoshen (12), defends as the Golden Knights attempt to score during an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Golden Knights’ Oscar Lindberg (24) and Florida Panthers goalie James Reimer (34) watch the puck fly by during an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Florida Panthers’ goalie James Reimer (34) defends against a shot from Golden Knights’ David Perron (57) a during an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Golden Knights left wing James Neal (18) celebrates after teammate Shea Theodore (27) scored the go-ahead goal in the third period during Vegas’ home matchup with the Tampa Bay Lighting on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, at T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas. The Golden Knights beat the Lighting 4-3. Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-Journal @benjaminhphoto
At the start of the Golden Knights’ five-game homestand, coach Gerard Gallant worried whether his players would be able to avoid the inevitable distractions of the holiday season.
It appears the Knights were able to wrap their presents and still play hockey without a problem.
The Knights have seven of a maximum eight points on the homestand, which ends Saturday when the Metropolitan Division-leading Washington Capitals (22-12-1) visit T-Mobile Arena. The first puck drops at 5 p.m.
“Sometimes you’ve got lots of other stuff going on with family coming in, but I think the guys really focused because we were playing such good hockey teams,” Gallant said Thursday at City National Arena.
“It was good challenges every night, and I’ve got to give credit to my guys. They got prepared to play every game, and they got ready to play and they played some of their best hockey the last three or four games.”
The Knights have three days between games after Tuesday’s 4-3 win over Tampa Bay, while Washington plays Friday at Arizona.
Gallant said he doesn’t mind the extra time off for his players, even with the leaguewide holiday break running Sunday through Tuesday.
“There’s going to be so many games after Christmas that you’ve got to make sure you get your rest in,” Gallant said.
Perron pens story
David Perron wrote an article for The Players’ Tribune that touched on several topics.
The veteran forward described his initial disappointment about being selected by the Knights in the expansion draft and the unique chemistry the team has developed. Perron went on to explain his growing affinity for the Las Vegas Valley.
“I really like the way it came out because it came from my heart,” Perron said. “To see the way it’s kind of changed and everything, I wouldn’t change a thing because I’m honestly loving every day here, every minute. This town is very special.”
Getting closer
Forward William Carrier and defenseman Luca Sbisa were full participants at practice Thursday. Gallant said a decision will be made Friday or Saturday whether one or both will be activated from the injured-reserve list.
