The Vegas Golden Knights can clinch home ice in the first round of the playoffs if they can pick up one point against the Colorado Avalanche.

The Golden Knights currently hold a five-point lead over the Los Angeles Kings for the Pacific Division and a nine-point lead over the Edmonton Oilers, with five games remaining. An overtime loss would mean the Oilers could not make up the ground to catch the Golden Knights, guaranteeing the first round of the playoffs would begin in  T-Mobile Arena. 

Acquiring that point will be a difficult task. The Avalanche loaded up at the deadline, adding multiple significant contributors and have been one of the best teams in the NHL since the deadline. The Avalanche are third in the Central Division with 98 points and will likely take on the Dallas Stars in the first round of the playoffs. 

The Golden Knights are slowly beginning to get healthy. Alex Pietrangelo returned on Apr. 3, meaning Tomas Hertl and Ilya Samsonov are the remaining Golden Knights players out with injuries. Both are considered day-to-day and are working their way back to full health. 

Akira Schmid and Scott Wedgewood are tonight's expected starters. Puck drop is set for 6:30 PM PST at Ball Arena.

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