1. Step it up
The common theme in the locker room after Tuesday's loss is that the team needs to up the compete level. Detroit has struggled this season, but the Golden Knights need to not let their guard down. One thing that was missing from their game against Columbus was the full effort throughout the entire game. "That's the thing, we have to make sure 20 guys are present for the whole game. We cannot have moments where we are not there because other teams are going to eat us and take over," says veteran center Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. "Those teams are battling for their life right now and we have to get into the same mindset."
2. Tatar returns to Detroit
Tomas Tatar returns to Detroit just over a week after his trade to Vegas. The 27-year-old forward was drafted by the Red Wings in 2009 and played in their organization until he was sent to the Golden Knights. In four games with Vegas since his trade, he's scored one goal. He's bounced back and forth between lines, but tonight the stakes are higher for him against his former squad. In 62 games with Detroit, he had a 16-12-28 record.
3. Goal support
Vegas was only able to muster one goal in Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Holding the opposition to under three goals and producing more offence of its own will be key for the team. The club's top line lost winger Reilly Smith midway through the game and he's day-to-day. Head coach Gerard Gallant has been forced to juggle his lines due to injuries of late and that's always difficult on a team's offensive chemistry.
