Golden Knights Roundup: Marchessault Expected To Return Saturday, Martinez Close

More good news on the Vegas Golden Knights injury front as both Jonathan Marchessault and Alec Martinez were spotted wearing regular jerseys and participating in line rushes at practice. Marchessault is expected to play Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings. Martinez could return then too, but based on head coach Bruce Cassidy's comments, he is more probably for Thursday's game against the Florida Panthers.

"He (Martinez) skated today which was awesome. Could he play tomorrow? I will have to check with the trainers. Just off the top of my head we don't play again until next Thursday so maybe the extra time can benefit him," Cassidy said in regards to Martinez.

Both Marchessault and Martinez have not been injured for long. Martinez has missed four games after he blocked a shot against the LA Kings on Dec. 27. Marchessault has missed six games with a lower-body injury. It is unknown what caused his injury. He last played against the Arizona Coyotes on Dec. 21.

The Golden Knights welcomed back both Paul Cotter and Jack Eichel to their lineup last night against the Pittsburgh Penguins. This provided the VGK with a stong four-line lineup for the first time in a while. Despite Marchessault returning, Cassidy stuck with both his second and third lines from last night's game.

Updated Projected Golden Knights Lineup

Reilly Smith- Jack Eichel- Jonathan Marchessault

Michael Amadio- Chandler Stephenson- Mark Stone (c)

Paul Cotter- William Karlsson- Phil Kessel

Will Carrier- Nicolas Roy- Keegan Kolesar

Nicolas Hague- Alex Pietrangelo

Brayden McNabb- Kaedan Korczak

Ben Hutton- Brayden Pachal

Logan Thompson/Adin Hill

PP1: Stone, Stephenson, Smith, Eichel, Pietrangelo

PP2: Marchessault, Karlsson, Kessel, Roy, Hutton

The VGK are still without Pavel Dorofeyev, Shea Theodore, Daniil Miromanov, Zach Whitecloud, and Brett Howden. Howden was seen riding an exercise bike on the Golden Knight's practice bench prior to the start of practice on Wednesday.

Of course, Shea Weber, Robin Lehner, and Nolan Patrick are out for the season.