The Vegas Golden Knights face challenges as they aim to recover momentum in their second-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers, with two veteran players sidelined.
Head coach Bruce Cassidy confirmed after the morning skate that defenseman Brayden McNabb and forward Brandon Saad are listed as day-to-day and will not be available for Game 3 of the series on Saturday night.
However, there`s positive news for the team: leading scorer Pavel Dorofeyev is anticipated to return for Game 3. He has missed the previous three games due to an unspecified injury.
McNabb suffered his injury during overtime in Game 2. The incident occurred when Oilers forward Viktor Arvidsson pushed him into the boards. No penalty was assessed on the play, and Vegas subsequently lost the game shortly after.
Although the exact nature of the injury hasn`t been disclosed, McNabb appeared to be favoring his left arm as he left the ice.
The 34-year-old defenseman participated in all 82 regular-season games this season, contributing five goals and 15 assists. In the current playoff run, he has recorded three assists over eight games, averaging 21 minutes and 14 seconds of ice time.
Forward Brandon Saad is also dealing with an undisclosed injury. In Game 2, he played 16 minutes and 11 seconds, registering one hit and one blocked shot. The 32-year-old forward has tallied two assists in his eight post-season appearances.
Pavel Dorofeyev led the Golden Knights in scoring during the regular season, netting 35 goals across 82 games. His undisclosed injury was sustained late in Vegas`s 3-2 overtime victory against the Minnesota Wild in Game 5 of their first-round series.
Victor Olofsson, who scored 15 goals this season, took the left-shot winger`s place in the lineup for Games 1 and 2. Olofsson also assumed Dorofeyev`s role on the power play.
Game 3 between the Golden Knights and the Oilers is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. MT on Saturday night.
Tristan Blackwood