Game day: Golden Knights face Islanders, look to end three-game slump

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) warms up before a NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders at T-Mobile Arena, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. Photo by Wade Vandervort

The Vegas Golden Knights are looking to get out of a three-game slump as they face the New York Islanders at 4:30 p.m. today.

The Golden Knights have faced major challenges from Eastern Conference opponents this season. They have a 7-10-2 record against teams from the opposite conference.

They are 0-3-0 against teams from the New York metropolitan area, most recently losing to the New York Rangers, 4-2, on Sunday.

Jack Eichel scored twice, but the Golden Knights' killing unit struggled in the third period, allowing two power-play goals.

Vegas' struggles in January have carried over into February. The Golden Knights have lost 10 of their last 13 games since Jan. 9 and have not won back-to-back games since Jan. 7.

Despite the losses, the Golden Knights are still in contention for first place in the Pacific Division. With 68 points, they are tied with the Edmonton Oilers for first place.

The Golden Knights could be without one of their fourth-line forwards tonight. Tanner Pearson was absent from practice Monday and Tuesday.

The Islanders have struggled with injuries, with eight different players out. Still, they have won 10 of their last 13 games and just had a seven-game winning streak snapped by a 6-3 loss Sunday to the Florida Panthers.

New York started picking up momentum in early January after shutting out the Golden Knights, 4-0, in Las Vegas.

Now, the Islanders are competing for a Wild Card position and are just four points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are in the second Wild Card spot.

Players to watch

Golden Knights: Jack Eichel (center) 52 games played, 18 goals, 48 assists, 66 points; Shea Theodore (defense) 52 games played, 6 goals, 39 assists, 45 points; Mark Stone (forward) 39 games played, 13 goals, 34 assists, 47 points. 

New York Islanders: Anders Lee (forward) 52 games played, 22 goals, 17 assists, 39 points; Bo Horvat (center) 51 games played, 18 goals, 21 assists, 39 points; Kyle Palmieri (center) 52 games played, 14 goals, 20 assists, 34 points. 

Non-active players

Golden Knights: Cole Schwindt (lower body), William Karlsson (lower body). 

New York Islanders: Scott Mayfield (lower body), Mathew Barzal (lower body), Semyon Varlamov (lower body), Ryan Pulock (upper body), Marcus Hogberg (upper body), Hudson Fasching (upper body), Mike Reilly (chest), Noah Dobson (lower body) 

How to watch

TV: Scripps Sports (Cox Communications, channel 34). KnightTime+ (streaming)

Betting line

Golden Knights -148 New York Islanders +124. Over/under 5.5 (-122/+102) 

Who is in goal

Golden Knights: TBD 

New York Islanders: Ilya Sorokin - 37 games played, 19-14-4 record, 2.70 goals against average, .908 save percentage, 3 shutouts.