Injured forwards close to returning to Golden Knights lineup

The Golden Knights are slowly getting back to full strength.

Injured forward Erik Haula returned to the ice Saturday, and forward Jonathan Marchessault practiced for the second straight day and could be activated from injured reserve before Tuesday’s game against Chicago.

“Marchy’s closer than Haula, but they’re both skating and that’s a good sign,” Knights coach Gerard Gallant said. “They’re both still on IR, so I think it’s going to be sooner than later. But again, what day it is, I don’t know.”

Haula and Marchessault each suffered lower-body injuries in the third period of the Knights’ 6-3 loss to Detroit on Oct. 13.

Haula skated on his own for close to 25 minutes Saturday at City National Arena before the team’s practice. Marchessault wore a red, noncontact jersey in practice for the second day in a row.

Haula has one goal and one assist in four games, and Marchessault scored his only goal of the season against Detroit before being hurt.

Both players were eligible to come off IR before Saturday’s game against St. Louis at T-Mobile Arena.

“They’ll talk to the trainers after they’re done (Saturday), and there’s two days of practice before our next game,” Gallant said. “Hopefully they’ll be (back) in the near future.”

Surprising speed

Gallant was asked about the Knights’ historic start and said his team’s quickness has surprised opponents in the first six games.

One example came Tuesday against Buffalo when fourth-line wing William Carrier used his skating ability to draw two penalties and create a breakaway chance in the second period.

“People look at our lineup and say there’s some good hockey players there,” Gallant said. “But I think they get surprised when they come in and see the way we’re playing right now. We’ve got some speed, we work hard and we compete, and we’re not giving up a whole lot.”

Remember him?

Forward Chris Thorburn was among the scratches for St. Louis and didn’t get the opportunity to play against his former team. That’s right, former team.

Thorburn was selected by the Knights from Winnipeg in the expansion draft, but was not signed and went to St. Louis as a free agent.

McNabb dresses

Defenseman Brayden McNabb returned to the Knights’ lineup after being scratched the past two games. Defensemen Jason Garrison, Jon Merrill and Griffin Reinhart were scratched against St. Louis.

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Contact David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow @DavidSchoenLVRJ on Twitter.