As the NHL playoffs inch closer, the Knights have been firing on all cylinders over the past month. They have won ten out of their last thirteen games, and with players like Tomas Hertl stepping back into the lineup as the season comes to a close, it looks like the Knights are going to be a very formidable opponent once again this April.
This past week, the Knights had a two-game homestand that started with the Seattle Kraken on Thursday and wrapped up with the Nashville Predators on Saturday. The Knights took down the Kraken 2-1 and the Predators 5-3, pushing their record to an impressive 49-22-9, good for 107 points. They clinched the Pacific Division, as seen all over their Instagram posts, after their win against the Predators and have home ice in the first two rounds of the playoffs. They are currently awaiting their first-round opponent, who will either be the Minnesota Wild or the St. Louis Blues.
After Thursday night’s game against the Kraken, I was granted media access with Ivan Barbashev and Brayden McNabb. Barbashev tallied the first goal in the game, and after the game, he spoke glowingly of the team’s chemistry. Barbashev said that “it’s been good all season long” and “despite the struggles, it looks like we are on the right path.” McNabb, who had an assist on the winning goal, was impressed with the young players stepping up with stars like Tomas Hertl and Jack Eichel being sidelined with injuries. “It’s an opportunity for those guys for sure because the playoffs are a long stretch and we are going to need everyone,” McNabb added.
Before Saturday night’s game against the Predators, old friend Jonathan Marchessault stopped by at Stadium Swim with his Predator teammates to take in the great weather at the Circa Resort and to introduce his teammates to Circa owner Derek Stevens. Marchessault scored the following night, but it was not enough. Marchessault was honored by the fans and the team on his return to the Fortress. The Knights had a complete offensive showing that night, with goals being scored by Brett Howden, Nicholas Roy, Alexander Holtz, Noah Hanifin, and Ivan Barbashev. The Knights close out the regular season slate on a road trip against the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks, tonight and on Wednesday this week.
