Surging Golden Knights prepare for feisty Devils

After garnering nine of a possible 10 points on a five-game eastern road trip, the Vegas Golden Knights make a quick pit stop home in Las Vegas when they host the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night.

The Golden Knights went 4-0-1 on the trip, with the lone loss coming in a 5-4 shootout defeat to the New York Islanders. Vegas opened the trip with a 3-0 victory in New Jersey with ex-Devil Akira Schmid making 24 saves for his third career shutout and defenseman Shea Theodore scoring a goal.

The Golden Knights, who hit the road again for a weekend trip to Calgary and Edmonton, have won six of their last seven games (6-0-1). They allowed two goals or less in all four road wins.

"Tells me that we can defend because we're obviously giving up less, right?" said Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy. "And that, for a coach, especially for our identity (and) what I'd like to see us (do), I think is awesome. If another team is checking well, we're not out of the game because we can do the same."

The Golden Knights come in off a 3-2 victory at Columbus on Saturday. Brayden McNabb scored the go-ahead goal with 6:47 remaining in the third period to back a 27-save performance by Carter Hart. Vegas moved into first place in the Pacific Division with Anaheim with the win.

"It's huge, just points-wise," McNabb said. "We're first in our division, so it goes a long way. To get nine out of 10 (points) is huge."

New Jersey, one point out of a wild-card spot in a bunched-up Eastern Conference playoff race, is making a quick two-game western road trip that also includes a stop in Salt Lake City for a game with the Utah Mammoth on Friday. The Devils will then return home for a Sunday contest against Buffalo.

New Jersey has won two of its last four games, including a 4-1 victory over Anaheim on Saturday. The team comes in off a 2-1 loss to Vancouver on Sunday in the second contest of a back-to-back.

There was some good news on the injury front for New Jersey. Veteran defenseman Brett Pesce, who has missed 24 games with a suspected broken hand after blocking a shot in an Oct. 26 game against Colorado, practiced with the team Tuesday morning before the flight west and is expected to make his return against the Golden Knights.

"I'm back," Pesce declared to reporters as he took the ice.

"His on-ice impacts obviously are an important part of our team," said Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe. "He's a big part of the personality of our team, too. Keeps everything light, loose and fun. Has got great experience and perspective. Certainly nice to have him back."

When asked if Pesce would play against the Golden Knights, Keefe replied: "He's going to be on the trip. There's nothing else to do in Vegas, so might as well try and get him into the game. That's our plan."

Pesce is expected to be paired with Luke Hughes.

After getting blanked by the Golden Knights in their first meeting Dec. 5 in Newark, Keefe expects another tight, defensive contest.

"(Vegas is) one of, if not the best, defensive teams in the league," Keefe said. "We've had some struggles offensively. We did on that day as well. That's going to be a challenge for us to break through. With that in mind, if that's going to be the case, then you've got to be a lockdown defensively, and your special teams are going to have to be great."