John Locher/AP
Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Nick Foligno (71) watches a goal by teammate Emil Bemstrom, not pictured, get past Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, in Las Vegas.
Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020 | 2 a.m.
Welcome home, Golden Knights.
Vegas returns to T-Mobile Arena for its first game in four weeks at 7 p.m. tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes, taking the home ice after the longest stretch away in the franchise’s three-year history. Much has changed since Jan. 11.
The Golden Knights picked up nine of 16 points in eight road games, lost William Karlsson to injury and climbed back to second place in the Pacific Division standings.
Oh yeah, they also got a new coach. This will be Peter DeBoer’s first home game as the Vegas coach.
“I think when I looked at it at the beginning, it looked a little daunting — seven games on the road in some tough buildings — but I think it has been an advantage,” DeBoer said. “I think I’ve gotten to spend some time with the players. When you’re on the road together, no one is at home with their wives or kids. You’re all together. You get some quality time.”
DeBoer took over one game into the trip. The Golden Knights went 4-2-1 under DeBoer, capped by a dominant 7-2 win over the Florida Panthers on Thursday. Since the All-Star break they have a 3-1 record, and even the loss (4-2 against the Lightning) was one of their better games of the season.
“It’s been really long, especially with the bye week right before,” forward Jonathan Marchessault said. “It’s been a long road trip, but for us hockey players, there are no excuses.”
Vegas has 26 games left this season, including 14 in front of that home crowd. There are 12 games left against Pacific opponents, including five of the last six. The Golden Knights could finish the season anywhere from a division title to missing the playoffs.
They’ll be home for most of February, finally getting to play some home-ice advantage. And the hope is that they can turn T-Mobile Arena into the madhouse it always has the potential to be.
“Hopefully we can give them something to cheer about and something to be excited about with the way we ended this road trip,” Golden Knights winger Max Pacioretty said. “Hopefully we can go in with some confidence at home and play the way we are capable of playing.”
Case Keefer contributed to this story.
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