T-Mobile Arena’s ice surface suited Golden Knights’ players just fine

While the Golden Knights lost their preseason home debut, the ice beneath them got winning praise.

George Salami, T-Mobile Arena’s ice guru, promised a quality sheet and he apparently delivered.

“I didn’t hear a single complaint,” Knights coach Gerard Gallant said Wednesday after practice at City National Arena following the 3-2 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Kings. “Usually if the ice is bad, the players are the first ones to complain.”

Salami said that was welcome news.

“The whole ice team was on the money,” Salami said of his arena staff. “We had the building at the right temperature — 59-60 degrees when we opened the doors and we were at 64 degrees in the third period with 17,000-plus inside.

“I got a thumbs up from everybody; both teams, the referees, everybody was happy.”

Reid Duke update

General manager George McPhee said Wednesday that rookie center Reid Duke is dealing with an upper body injury and that a decision will be made soon on how to treat it.

“We should know more next week,” said McPhee, who would not disclose the exact nature of Duke’s injury

Duke, 21, was the first player signed by the Knights in March. He played for the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League last season and led them in scoring. He had participated in the Knights’ development and rookie camps and played in the two rookie scrimmages against the Los Angeles Kings. But he has not participated in the preseason training camp.

Hyka’s streak snapped

Free agent forward Tomas Hyka was held pointless Tuesday by the Kings and it ended his preseason goal-scoring streak. He had scored in every game he had, going back to the two rookie scrimmages with the Kings Sept. 12-13.

Hyka has four goals and an assist in his four preseason games. He is second in team scoring to defenseman Brad Hunt, who has six points (one goal and five assists) in three games.

Matteau released

The team released forward Stefan Matteau on Wednesday, getting down to 29 players. The team must submit its 23-man roster by Tuesday.

Fleury expected to start

Marc-Andre Fleury said he wanted to get a little more work in before the regular season begins Oct. 6. The veteran goaltender gets his wish as he’s scheduled to start Thursday at T-Mobile Arena against the Avalanche. Fleury played the entire game in Sunday’s 4-2 win over Anaheim, his first Knights appearance.

The Knights defeated the Avs 4-1 in Denver on Sept. 19 in their first meeting. Both Maxime Lagace and Oscar Dansk were in goal that night. Both since have been assigned to AHL-affiliate Chicago Wolves.

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