The Vegas Golden Knights held practice on Wednesday before embarking on an East Coast road trip. They’ll play three games in four days, beginning in Miami against the reigning Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers.
The Golden Knights have a record of 5-0-2, and are one of two teams without a regulation loss. After starting the season 1-0-2, they’ve won four in a row. They lead the league in goals scored with 30 in seven games. They have the league leader in points (Jack Eichel with 16) and one of the leaders in goals (Pavel Dorofeyev with seven).
So, despite missing three key players, the mood was light at practice. Ben Hutton and Pavel Dorofeyev both went between their legs to score during the short-ice 2-on-2 drill. Jack Eichel continuously tried slappers. And Tomáš Hertl threw his stick to disrupt a 2-on-0 in a drill he wasn’t taking part in.
Jack Eichel and Brandon Saad face off against Kaedan Korczak and Jeremy Lauzon in practice. Tomáš Hertl (not part of the drill) throws his stick to disrupt a 2-on-0. pic.twitter.com/Iquk4OKX2e
— Hannah Kirkell (@h_kirk6) October 22, 2025
Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy met with the media after practice and provided a few key injury updates.
Hanifin Injury Update
On Wednesday, the Golden Knights officially placed Noah Hanifin on Injured Reserve. Hanifin hasn’t played since October 8th and has missed the last six games with an undisclosed injury.
“I don’t [expect Hanifin to travel],” said Bruce Cassidy on Wednesday.
Because he’s already missed six games, the Golden Knights can activate Hanifin from Injured Reserve anytime they want. But because he won’t travel, it’s safe to assume that he won’t draw back into the lineup until the Golden Knights return home.
The Golden Knights’ next home game is a Halloween matinee against the Colorado Avalanche.
Hill Injury Update
Adin Hill exited Monday’s contest against the Carolina Hurricanes with a non-contact lower-body injury. He couldn’t put any weight on his left leg, so two teammates helped him up and supported him as he skated off the ice. When Hill made it off, two members of the team staff helped him down the hallway. Hill did not return.
“He didn’t come back, as you know,” said head coach Bruce Cassidy postgame. “That’s not good right away.”
Hill was absent from practice on Wednesday.
“Right now, he’s going to be week-to-week,” said Cassidy after practice. “He won’t travel. We’ll go from there.”
In his postgame press conference on Monday, Cassidy said that he’d have a better idea of Hill’s status on Thursday. So, Cassidy already calling Hill week-to-week probably isn’t a good sign.
Carl Lindbom Called Up, Will Make NHL Debut
On Wednesday, the Golden Knights called up goaltender Carl Lindbom and defenseman Jaycob Megna from the Henderson Silver Knights. With a 1-0-1 record, a .958 SV%, and one shutout, Lindbom has shone in two AHL games this season. Last year, he had a record of 18-15-3, a .912 SV%, and three shutouts with the Silver Knights.
The Golden Knights play a back-to-back this weekend. On Saturday, they’ll play the Florida Panthers; they’ll face the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday. With Adin Hill injured, head coach Bruce Cassidy confirmed that 22-year-old Lindbom will make his NHL debut this weekend.
“Lindbom was called up,” Cassidy said after practice on Wednesday. “He practiced today, and I anticipate he’ll start one of the games this weekend with the back-to-back setup. I don’t know which one yet.”
“We think he’s a legitimate prospect,” continued Cassidy. “He had a really good second half in Henderson. Is he ready for this? He was good in exhibition, so we’ll see. That’s the hand we’re dealt, and hopefully he’s up for the challenge. I know he’s a great kid, he works hard, and he’s going to do everything to prepare himself.
“We’re not going to judge him on one game,” Cassidy finished. “If Hilly ends up being [out for] an extended period of time, [Lindbom] will probably get a few starts along the way there. That’ll be a better assessment of where he’s at. You never know with young goaltenders, what’s the right path and how soon, but he’s the guy that deserves to be up, and with Hilly out and our schedule the way it’s going to be, he’s going to get at least one, probably a few starts. We’ll see how it goes.”
Golden Knights Practice Lines and Pairings
Ivan Barbashev — Jack Eichel — Brandon Saad
Pavel Dorofeyev — Tomáš Hertl — Mitch Marner
Reilly Smith — William Karlsson — Alexander Holtz
Brett Howden — Colton Sissons — Keegan Kolesar
Brayden McNabb — Shea Theodore
Ben Hutton — Zach Whitecloud
Jeremy Lauzon — Kaedan Korczak
Akira Schmid
Carl Lindbom
*Cole Reinhardt, Jaycob Megna rotating in as extras
