Hockey season is back and Vegas’ favorite team is killin’ the game! The Vegas Golden Knights (VGK) kicked off the 2021 season on Thursday, January 14th with a game against the Anaheim Ducks at the T-Mobile Arena. 


The VGK are scheduled to play 56 games throughout the season, playing the Anaheim Ducks on again on January 16th, 2021. 


The team is currently in the running to be part of the Stanley Cup playoffs, taking place after the regular 2021 hockey season in mid-July. Who qualifies to be in the Stanley Cup playoffs depends on which teams make it to the top four in the division. Due to current health restrictions, the teams have been trying to minimize travel (as well as the risk of virus exposure) as much as possible, with various different precautions in place. 


The VGK recently added some new additions to the team. These additions include: Robin Lehner (goaltender), Alec Martinez (defenseman), Alex Pietrangelo (defenseman), Cody Glass (right wing), Nicolas Roy (right wing), Mark Stone (right wing), Max Pacioretty (left wing), Zach Whitecloud (defenseman) and Ryan Reaves (right wing). 


ABOUT THE PLAYERS: 


Robin Lehner - Coming from Sweden, Robin Lehner has previously played for teams including the Ottawa Senators, Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders and Chicago Blackhawks. 


Alec Martinez - Alec Martinez played with the Los Angeles Kings before joining the VGK, winning the Stanley Cup in 2012 and 2014.


Alex Pietrangelo - Originally from Canada, Alex Pietrangelo reigns as a gold medal winner at the 2014 Winter Olympics, along with being a member of the St. Louis Blues, Niagara IceDogs and the Barrie Colts of Ontario. 


Cody Glass - One of the younger members, joining the team at 21 years of age, Cody Glass got his start in Canada, playing as a Junior with the Winnipeg Thrashers. Cody was the first ever draft selection in VGK franchise history. 


Nicolas Roy - Also from Canada, Nicolas Roy’s former team was the Carolina Hurricanes, 96th in the NHL overall Entry Draft. 


Mark Stone - Canadian, Mark Stone was selected for the VGK after playing for the Ottawa Senators, 178th in the NHL overall Entry Draft in 2010. 


Max Pacioretty - Max Pacioretty was originally drafted by the Montreal Canadiens. He captained the team for his last three seasons, as well as scored over 30 goals in five of the seasons with the team.


Zach Whitecloud - Zach Whitecloud was previously invited to the Los Angeles Kings Development Camp before joining the VGK in the 2018 season. 


Ryan Reaves - Previously from Canada, prior to playing with the VGK Ryan Reaves was a member of the St. Louis Blues, as well as the Pittsburgh Penguins. 



VGK VS. THE ANAHEIM DUCKS - JANUARY 14TH, 2021


The VGK defeated the Anaheim Ducks at 5-2 in their first game of the 2021 season. 


“The scoring came early and often as Jonathan Marchessault and Tomas Nosek scored 1:06 apart to give the Golden Knights a 2-0 lead. Anaheim bounced back as Max Comtois buried his first two goals of the season to level the score at 2-2. After a scoreless second period, Stone buried his first of the campaign just 49 seconds into the final frame to put Vegas ahead, 3-2. Insurance goals from Max Pacioretty and Alex Tuch sealed the victory for the Golden Knights as the team won its home opener for the third time in four seasons.” (https://www.nhl.com/goldenknights/news/stone-leads-golden-knights-to-5-2-win-vs-ducks/c-320315688


The team’s top players of the night included newcomers Max Pacioretty, Alex Pietrangelo and team captain, Mark Stone. 


The game got off to a slow start, until team captain Mark Stone took the lead, scoring the go-ahead goal in the third period.


ABOUT THE VGK:


“The Vegas Golden Knights are a National Hockey League franchise owned and operated by Black Knight Sports and Entertainment LLC. The Vegas Golden Knights were established by founding partners William Foley and his family and the Maloof family.” (https://www.nhl.com/goldenknights/news/nhl-announces-golden-knights-2020-21-regular-season-schedule/c-319876138)