The Golden Knights need to break out of their slump, losing five of their last six games, as they travel to St. Louis and Chicago this weekend.  The two Central Division foes are on the outside looking in for a Wild Card spot, but they are close in the standings.  St Louis has a -42 goal differential.  The Golden Knights should win both games.  The Blackhawks are still without Connor Bedard. We received late word before recording our show that VGK defenseman Noah Hanifin has made Team USA for the Olympics. And we have our WTF segment with your comments. 

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The Golden Knights led 2-0 after nine minutes Wednesday, but the next five minutes belonged to the Nashville Predators.  The Preds scored three times over the next five minutes enroute to a 4-2 victory over VGK.  The Golden Knights have dropped five of their last six games. Bruce Cassidy was miffed postgame about all the long-range goals VGK has given up the past few games.  He said the team isn't boxing out or getting in passing lanes.  VGK lost defenseman Brayden McNabb to an injury on a collision with the Predators Michael Bunting.  Keegan Kolasar took exception to the hit, which looked unintentional.  He crosschecked Bunting several times in the back. Three VGK players were named to tam Canada, Mitch Marner, Shea Theodore and Mark Stone.  

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The Golden Knights close out the year with a matinee against the surging Nashville Predators who have won 11 of their last 16 games.  Meanwhile VGK has dropped to 1-3-2 without Jack Eichel and Shea Theodore in the lineup.  Eichel skated for a second day Tuesday and is expected to be a gametime decision, according to Bruce Cassidy.  The Predators have been hot since Thanksgiving and Steven Stamkos has 13 goals since late November.  The Preds top line is a concern for VGK.  We also discuss which Golden Knights could be shunned for Olympic rosters, which will be released Wednesday.  And, we have our Locks, Props and Chance for the game vs the Predators.

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Tomas Hertl was ejected after getting a game misconduct for a boarding penalty on Ryan Hartman that drew blood just 2:13 into the game and that hurt the center depth on a night when the Golden Knights struggled offensively.  Then on the defensive end, Carter Hart the and VGK defense couldn't stop the puck as Minnesota romped past the Golden Knights 5-2.  The crazy stat of the game was that the Wild scored exactly :26 into the first and second periods in building a 5-0 lead.  Hart was pulled in the second period and Akira Schmid came in to stop all 15 shots he faced.  On a brighter note, Jack Eichel was at practice and skating again in a red, non-contact jersey on Monday.  Without Eichel the past six games, VGK has just one win. And, we discuss how a softer schedule has hurt VGK when they take on good teams.

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VGK lost a point late in regulation when Arturri Lehkonen tied the score up late with two minutes remaining as the Golden Knights squandered two-goal leads twice and fell in a shootout to the Avalanche 6-5 in a shootout.  You could see why the Avs are the top team in the league, as they twice erased two-goal leads.  The Avalanches were also beneficiaries of three goals that were deflected of VGK players.  Mitch Marner had the lone goal in the shootout for the Golden Knights, who dropped to 1-5 in shootout periods.  The Golden Knights are back in action Monday night as they host the hot Wild, who have won eight of their last ten road encounters.  Minnesota bolstered its lineup recently with the addition of Quinn Hughes who is now on the top defensive pairing.  Kirill Kaprizov is the Wild's leading scorer.  We also have our Locks, Props and Chance for the game.

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How will the Golden Knights slow down the high-flying Avalanche Saturday night.  The Avs have lost just twice in regulation and are 27-2-7 overall, off to one of the best starts in NHL history.  Colorado is putting up ridiculous number - Nathan MacKinnon is the Avs leading scorer with 30 goals already and 61 points through 36 games - he is also a plus-45 when he is on the ice.  VGK still hasn't announced the status of Jack Eichel.  The Golden Knights could use Eichel against the Avalanche.  Metrics on the Marner-Hertl-Dorofeyev line tell us they are among the league's best in 5v5.  And we have our WTF segment.

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The Golden Knights saw six different players score goals in a 7-2 rout over the Sharks.  Mitch Marner scored two of the goals for VGK.  He has six points in the last three games. The Golden Knights put a 5-spot on the board in the first period in scoring the most goals in a game this season.  Jack Eichel and Shea Theodore were not in the lineup again.  VGK chased starting goalie Yaroslav Askarov in the first period. Colton Sissons scored his second goal of the season - both against the Sharks.  VGK prospect Trevor Connolly will not play in the World Juniors.  He sustained a lower-body injury and has had a history of lower body injuries dating back to his final season at Providence College.  And, we target our over/under for moves VGK should make by the March trade deadline. 

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The Golden Knights return home for the holidays as they kick off a four-game homestand starting with tonight's meeting against the Sharks.  VGK has already defeated San Jose twice, but the Sharks have improved and enter the night just two points out of a playoff spot. Macklin Celebrini has 11 points in the past five games.  He is the third fastest teenager to score 50 points behind Sydney Crosby and Wayne Gretzky. The Sharks are beaten up as Will Smith and Phillip Kurashev are out of the lineup due to injuries.  With Shea Theodore out VGK, we felt, was exposed on the short Canadian road trip.  This is an area of need that VGK has to address at the deadline.  And, we have Locks, Props and Chance for tonight's game. 

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The Golden Knights dropped two games this weekend during the back to back.  VGK fell at Edmonton and Calgary in divisional games.  Sunday against the Oil VGK surrendered the first four goals but battled back with two power play goals and a Mitch Marner goal.  Marner scored three points in the game with two assists, but the Golden Knights couldn't come back from a four-goal deficit.  VGK lost Saturday in Calgary when it lacked execution and gave up some bad goals, including a 2 on none breakaway goal.  And we talked about Mitch Marner's high expectations this season.

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VGK heads out on the road for an important divisional back-to-back this weekend.  They travel to Calgary then Edmonton on Saturday and Sunday. The Flames and Oilers are both hot teams.  VGK could be without two stalwarts Jack Eichel and Shea Theodore.  Eichel has been said to be ill, but Bruce Cassidy's comments in Wednesday's post game presser have led us to believe otherwise. Eichel also missed a personal appearance Thursday night to fuel speculation. Theodore is listed as day-to-day.  After slow starts both the Flames and Oilers are heating up - Calgary has won eight of its last eleven at home. Edmonton is 6-1-1 in its last eight.

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