Daily Nuggets: Golden Knights Get Lucky; Dorofeyev Injury Update

Good morning, folks. The Vegas Golden Knights are down 2-0 in their second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers. On Saturday, they’ll have the opportunity to chip away at Edmonton’s lead. But if the Golden Knights want to make this a series, they’ll have to earn it.

After an announcement from the Department of Player Safety, the outlook isn’t as bleak as it was Friday; forward Nic Roy escaped his hearing with a fine. And that’s not all– on Friday, Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy provided a positive update on the status of leading goalscorer Pavel Dorofeyev.

Elsewhere in the Daily Nuggets, the Florida Panthers did what the Golden Knights are trying to do– after falling behind 2-0 in their series, they won Game 3. The New Jersey Devils begin to make the changes they promised, starting with the coaching staff. Connor Hellebuyck is back in business, and the NHL unveiled a new group of players for the Quarter-Century Team. 

And away we go.

Golden Knights News

First, the good news: Nic Roy won’t be suspended for his cross-check on Oilers forward Trent Frederic. Despite having ahearing with the Department of Player Safety, he escaped with just a fine.

I’ll put out a piece later to explain the ins and outs of the CBA and why Roy received a fine greater than $5,000.

More good news– the Golden Knights are very much in the mix for Maxim Shabanov. The KHL star is a pending free agent with his eyes set on the NHL, and it sounds like the Golden Knights are the leading contender. The 24-year-old winger is small and slight but extremely skilled and is the KHL’s third-leading scorer. 

Head coach Bruce Cassidy didn’t have much of an update on the status of Brayden McNabb when he met with the media on Friday. He did, however, have a positive update about Pavel Dorofeyev, who missed the past three games with an undisclosed injury. All that and more in the Golden Knights Notebook:

NHL News, Rumors, & National Hockey Now

The Athletic ($): On Friday, Gary Bettman announced that the league was interested in possibly expanding to Atlanta. There’s no timetable, but prospective owner Vernon Krause is on the “homestretch” of completing a formal expansion pitch.

Sportsnet: MVP! MVP! On Friday, the Winnipeg Jets evened their second-round series against the Dallas Stars. Nikolaj Ehlers enjoyed a three-point night, and Connor Hellebuyck recorded a shutout.

Florida Hockey Now: Don’t look now– here come the Panthers. In a crucial Game 3, they rallied to overcome two different two-goal deficits. In overtime, Brad Marchand continued his assault on the Toronto Maple Leafs and scored the game-winning goal.

New York Islanders Hockey Now: I can’t remember the last time I was this invested in the Islanders’ executive positions. First, Ken Holland wasn’t interested in the general manager position, and now it sounds like Lou Lamoriello might stick around after all.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald promised changes, and he’s quickly making good on his word. The Devils are shaking up the coaching staff.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Penguins captain Sidney Crosby was always a lock for the NHL’s Quarter-Century Team. However, it’s a bit surprising to see Evgeni Malkin honored as well– not because he’s undeserving, but because he’s Mr. 101.

NHL History: On May 10th, 1970, the Boston Bruins swept the St. Louis Blues to win their first Stanley Cup since 1941. Defenseman Bobby Orr scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal in overtime, then flew through the air in celebration.

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