Folks, we have a battle of military motif'd, color-identified teams tonight, as the Columbus Blue Jackets visit the Vegas Golden Knights. Just as everybody predicted, the Golden Knights are atop the league in their first year of existence.
Jussi Jokinen will once again draw in for the Jackets, after playing more than 15 minutes in his club debut. While Cam Atkinson and Brandon Dubinsky are both skating with the team, it doesn't appear as if either will play tonight or even before the All-Star break.
MATCHUP:
Blue Jackets at Vegas Golden Knights
T-Mobile Arena, 10:00 PM
TV: FOX Sports Ohio
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
- Welcome to fabulous Las Vegas. This is the first matchup ever between these two teams, as the Jackets descend on T-Mobile Arena tonight. They'll also be reunited with William "Wild Bill" Karlsson, who spent the last three seasons in Columbus before being selected in the expansion draft.
- Speaking of Karlsson, he's emerged as a star this season, with a career-high 25 goals and 15 assists. That gives him more goals (and points) than any current Blue Jacket.
- Is Vegas #ActuallyGood? The ship has probably sailed on skepticism– at least this season – as they are currently atop the league in points. They've had some elite goaltending, as Marc-Andre Fleury leads all NHL goalies in save percentage. Their red-hot first line has had a huge impact as well, as Karlsson has centered another former Jacket in Jonathan Marchessault, and Marchessault's former Panthers teammate, Reilly Smith. On top of that, they're getting contributions from just about all of their depth players, and playing in front of a packed house every night.
- Not the Golden Knights Twitter account, please.
TALE OF THE TAPE:
GOLDEN KNIGHTS
31-11-4 / 1st in Pacific Division (and NHL)
PP: 17.3% (22nd) / PK: 81.6% (16th)
5v5 Corsi: 51.20% (12th)
BLUE JACKETS
26-18-3 / 3rd in Metropolitan Division
PP: 13.3% (31st) / PK: 79.2% (23th)
5v5 Corsi: 51.21% (10th)
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