In the curtain raiser to the NHL’s preseason schedule, the Vegas Golden Knights put on a good showing for the 17,767 fans in attendance. Pacioretty led by example with a hat trick and an assist, while Reilly Smith, Cody Eakin and defenseman Brayden McNabb also got on the board.
Malcolm Subban got the start between the pipes for the Knights, with Garret Sparks his backup, and he made 28 saves despite enduring a woeful first period where he was guilty of letting in two soft goals. Defenseman Nick Holden put on a strong showing with a sublime helper on Pacioretty’s first goal, while Dylan Coghlan was the standout performer of the four rookie blueliners given a chance to impress the coaching staff.