Today the preseason kicks off for the Golden Knights at the T-Mobile arena against the San Jose Sharks. Here are the lines in practice courtesy of Jesse Granger on Twitter:

Pacioretty-Stephenson-Stone
Janmark-Patrick-Dadonov
Krebs-Howden-Cotter
Baertschi-Quinney-Dugan

McNabb-Theodore
Cormier-Whitecloud
Hayes-Coghlan

Logan Thompson
Jesper Vikman

Lots to like about this preseason lineup. Here are five things to watch:


1. How do the big two look?
This will be the first viewing of Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty after a bitter round 3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens in last year’s playoffs. Pacioretty’s health was an issue last year and eyes will be on him to prove he’s back at 100%.


2. First look at the Janmark-Patrick-Dadonov line
This line will be very interesting to watch. The fans know they’re getting a hard working dynamo along the boards with Mattias Janmark. Patrick and Dadonov are another story. Patrick is coming off a nine point season despite plenty of offensive opportunities. After missing a season with migraine issues then an underwhelming return; Patrick needs to work his game back to where it needs to be. Dadonov has 70 points in 82 games in 2018-19. Last season he had 20 in 55. There is obviously some regression showing. That said, 13 of those points were goals which prorated to a 20 goal season over 82 games. Keep an eye on that line.


3. The Krebs-Howden connection
Krebs and Howden have been practicing on the 5th line in camp with a rotation of right wingers. Both are natural centers. Expect these two to alternate positions with each other. Krebs will start on left wing and Howden will start at center. It’s expected Howden starts the season as the Knights’ 13th forward and the waiver eligible Peyton Krebs will center the first line in Henderson in the AHL.


4. Jack Dugan gets to impress the Coach
Dugan could likely hold down a spot on an NHL team with less depth. Dugan led the NCAA in scoring in 19-20 with 52 points in 34 games as a 21 year old. In his first year of pro hockey in AHL Henderson, he put up 33 points in 37 games. If he keeps his trajectory going there will be no way to keep Dugan off of DeBoer’s lineup. He’ll be playing RW on a line with NHL veteran Sven Baertschi and Las Vegas native/AHL vet Gage Quinney at center.


5. Lukas Cormier gets a look with an NHL defence partner
Cormier will have Zach Whitecloud in his right side for this game. This is what I had to say about Lukas in an earlier write-up on the Golden Knights rookies:

Lukas Cormier — Cormier spent last season with the high octane offence Charlottetown Islanders and he fit like a glove. If Cormier establishes himself in the NHL it will most likely be as an offensive defenseman. He has an excellent hockey IQ and good anticipation in his passing game. He will most likely return to Charlottetown for his fourth season of Junior.

While he’s a few years away still, Cormier is one to watch. The Golden Knights have a template for their defensive prospects in terms of size and Lukas is a rare exception at 5’10” 175lbs.


The game will air on:
TV: KTNV Channel 13 Las Vegas
Radio: FOX Sports 98.9/1340



Thanks for reading,


Trevor Neufeld



Follow me on Twitter @Trevor_Neufeld

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