Daily Nuggets: Golden Knights Control Pacific; Reilly Smith On Block

For all concerned– don’t worry. The Vegas Golden Knights still know how to play defense, and they proved it on Sunday with the team’s fourth shutout of the season. The gap between the Golden Knights and the rest of the Pacific Division grows wider by the day, although the Edmonton Oilers can work towards closing it on Monday night against the Anaheim Ducks.

Elsewhere in the Daily Nuggets, star center Jack Hughes left Sunday’s game between the Golden Knights and the New Jersey Devils in the third period after an awkward collision with the boards. The New York Islanders are preparing to move defensemen, and both sides won the Seth Jones trade.

Golden Knights News

On Sunday, the Golden Knights won as Adin Hill posted his third shutout of the season. Noah Hanifin was in top form, and Jack Eichel recorded his 24th multi-point game of the season. They were dominant as they beat the New Jersey Devils 2-0 to sweep the season series. My analysis here:

The Golden Knights’ win doesn’t change the Pacific Division standings, but it does increase their lead. They lead the Edmonton Oilers by four points and the Los Angeles Kings by eight.

New Jersey Hockey Now: The Devils didn’t just lose a game in early March– they lost their star player. At the end of the third period on Sunday, Jack Hughes was injured, and Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe was ejected. 

The Golden Knights aren’t in action again until Wednesday. Let’s sneak in a Mailbag before the Trade Deadline on Friday, shall we? Submit your questions and trade proposals in the comments!

NHL.com: On Sunday, the Golden Knights announced that they’d signed two players to two-year, entry-level contracts. 

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: Old friend and Original Misfit Reilly Smith was the subject of the first “held out for trade-related purposes” tweet of the season.

New York Islanders Hockey Now: Pause the Brock Nelson trade talks– the Islanders are also likely to move defensemen before the Trade Deadline on Friday. Russ Macias identifies the three most probable candidates.

Colorado Hockey Now: The newly acquired members of the Avalanche, Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey, had their first practice with the team and are settling in nicely.

Philly Hockey Now: The three trades on Saturday established this year as a seller’s market. How does that affect the Flyers and the players they’re most likely to deal?

Chicago Hockey Now: Like we saw last month when Mikko Rantanen was dealt, there’s no point in trying to name an immediate winner of a trade. But at first glance, the Blackhawks and the Florida Panthers both got what they wanted out of Saturday’s blockbuster.

NHL History: On March 3rd, 1968, Jean Béliveau joined Gordie Howe as the second player to record 1,000 career points. Béliveau reached 1,000 points in 911 games, 27 games faster than Howe.