Flames at Golden Knights
The Vegas Golden Knights easily are the top story of the NHL, charging to the top of the Pacific Division and being well on their way to a postseason berth in their inaugural season. However, the aura of invincibility at home that has defined the Golden Knights has taken a hit heading into Sunday's game against the visiting Calgary Flames.
Vegas quickly made T-Mobile Arena a daunting stop for the opposition by winning nine of its first 10 there, but it has been outscored 21-10 in losing its last four at home. "I don't care who we're playing, it's time to get back to winning," Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant told reporters after Friday's 4-2 loss to Minnesota. "We've had a great home record all year long. We've got to make sure we're the hardest-working team on Sunday and find a way to win." Calgary's biggest problem has been an inability to win at home, falling to 15-17-4 at Scotiabank Saddledome following Friday's 7-4 setback against San Jose. The Flames, who sit four points out of a wild-card spot in the Western Conference, have been outscored 11-5 while dropping both meetings with Vegas this season.
TV: 4 p.m. ET, Sportsnet360, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet Pacific (Calgary), AT&T Sportsnet-Rocky Mountain (Vegas)
ABOUT THE FLAMES (35-27-10): Mike Smith called his performance "terrible" after he was yanked against the Sharks, his second shaky outing in three starts since missing a month with a lower-body injury, but he will be back in net against Vegas. Matthew Tkachuk, who has been sidelined for two games with an upper-body injury, did not accompany the team for its two-game road trip, but Kris Versteeg returned to the lineup Friday after missing 49 contests due to hip surgery. Johnny Gaudreau is riding a six-game point streak and has scored a goal in three straight.
ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS (45-21-5): Malcolm Subban (upper body) was activated from injured reserve on Friday and could be in line for a start as Marc-Andre Fleury has suffered back-to-back regulation losses for the first time this season. With Reilly Smith missing five straight games due to an upper-body injury and absent from Saturday's practice, James Neal skated with Jonathan Marchessault and William Karlsson on the No. 1 line. Neal, who is third on the team with 24 goals, returned to the lineup Friday after sitting out eight games with an upper-body injury.
OVERTIME
1. Golden Knights LW Erik Haula has scored four times in three games to boost his season total to 28 goals.
2. Calgary is 1-for-28 on the power play over its last nine games but has killed off all 16 of its penalties in the last seven contests.
3. Vegas C David Perron has recorded a career-high 49 assists this season, including five during his four-game point streak.