After another decent break, the Vegas Golden Knights are back to get things heading back into the right direction.
On Tuesday, the Golden Knights return to T-Mobile Arena to face the Detroit Red Wings for the first time this season.
The six-game homestand did not get off to the best start for the Golden Knights, as they suffered only their second regulation loss of the season in a Nevada Day matchup against the Colorado Avalanche. Knowing what to fix and armed with plenty of time to get it all sorted out, the Golden Knights hope to keep the pressure off against the Red Wings.
Here are some of the major storylines coming into what looks like a surprising close game on paper.
Wings flying high
With the pressure mounting on general manager and franchise legend Steve Yzerman, the Red Wings finally look like a team that can break Detroit’s nine-year postseason drought.
The Red Wings comes to Vegas tied with the Montreal Canadiens for the lead in the Atlantic Division, sporting a 9-4-0 record. They have been paced offensively by Dylan Larkin (18 points), Alex DeBrincat (15 points) and Lucas Raymond (12 points). Emerging as one of the big early surprises of the 2025-26 season, a win over the Golden Knights to wrap up what has been a five-game road trip for them would further establish their legitimacy.
“They found ways to win close games,” Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy said about Detroit’s early success.
“If you’re looking at their team, special teams has been a strength. Their power play and penalty kill are both top-ten in the league, so that helps you win some of those close games if your five-on-five game isn’t where you want it to be.”
Getting pieces back
The long break came at a good time for the Golden Knights, as they can begin to make some adjustments to their lineup.
Defenseman Noah Hanifin is expected to make his return to the lineup for the first time since the season opener against the Los Angeles Kings.
“I think puck-moving ability, especially at the goal line,” Cassidy said about what the lineup has missed during Hanifin’s absence.
“He separates well, little deception in his game too…he really does a good job with that. I think at the o-zone blue line, he creates shooting lanes for himself with his lateral movement. He’ll attack the net downhill, so he’ll open up some passing lanes in that zone too.”
Forward Colton Sissons is also a possibility to return to the lineup after missing the previous game against the Avalanche. If Sissons can go, forward Brett Howden is expected to be the latest to slide in on the Jack Eichel-centered top line to fill the void left by Mark Stone.
“It was good,” Howden said about skating with Eichel during Monday’s practice. “Had a couple games with Jack last year. I’m not sure how things will shake out, but it’s fun to skate with him always.”
Opportunities abound
While the Red Wings have been soaring in the first month of the season, not everything has been sunshine and rainbows for the oppositions.
In the past seven games, the Red Wings have conceded 27 goals, the second-most in that span. For a Golden Knights team that had produced 4.60 goals per game at home, that sounds like an excellent opportunity to get momentum going on that side of the ice. With players like Eichel, Mitch Marner and Pavel Dorofeyev providing offense at impressive clips so far, they could be in for big games.
“I think our line’s been working well,” Marner said about his line with Dorofeyev and Tomas Hertl. “We’ve been making good plays. I think we’re a good line in our o-zone, and I think we play good defensive hockey as well. Haven’t give up many odd-man rushes against, so I think we’re working on our defensive side and getting chances on our offensive side.”
