Golden Knights at Oilers
The Vegas Golden Knights still have an outside shot of catching Nashville for the best record in the league, but they appear content to settle for winning the Pacific Division title in their magnificent first year of existence. The Golden Knights will go for their fourth consecutive victory when they resume a three-game road trip at the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night.
Four of Vegas' top five scorers sat out Tuesday's 5-4 shootout victory in Vancouver and at least three will miss the matchup against the Oilers, but coach Gerard Gallant is conceding nothing. "Again, you look at the standings today and we've still got a chance for first overall in the conference," Gallant said. "You keep battling and you keep working hard. Who knows what the points are going to mean down the road." Edmonton is winding up a dismal and disappointing season, limping into Thursday's contest on a five-game losing streak (0-4-1). The Oilers have enjoyed success against the Golden Knights, however, winning two of three and handing Vegas its worst defeat with an 8-2 drubbing in Edmonton on Nov. 14.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, AT&T Sportsnet-Las Vegas, Sportsnet1 (Edmonton)
ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS (51-22-7): With David Perron and Jonathan Marchessault not even accompanying the team on its trek to western Canada, Brandon Pirri was recalled from Chicago of the American Hockey League and scored twice against Vancouver. William Karlsson is closing the season on a roll, scoring in three straight games and collecting four goals and eight assists during a five-game point streak. Karlsson's goal was his 43rd of the season, breaking Brian Bradley's record for the most for a player on an expansion club.
ABOUT THE OILERS (34-40-6): With individual goals pretty much all that is left on the docket for Edmonton, captain Connor McDavid is closing in on his second straight scoring title, although he has been held off the scoresheet in two straight after pumping in seven goals in the previous five games. Center Leon Draisaitl has one assist in the past four contests and finished the five-game road trip at a minus-11. Center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins returned to practice Wednesday after sitting out the previous two games.
OVERTIME
1. Golden Knights F Tomas Tatar reached 20 goals for the fourth season in a row.
2. Edmonton recalled D Keegan Lowe from Bakersfield of the American Hockey League.
3. Golden Knights F Reilly Smith was at practice in a red non-contact jersey on Wednesday.