The Vegas Golden Knights have signed top prospect Trevor Connelly to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The 19-year-old completed his first and only season in the NCAA with the Providence Friars, scoring four goals and 13 points in 22 games.

He dealt with injury issues throughout the season, forcing him to miss a significant amount of games. Connelly and Providence earned a spot in the college playoffs but were eliminated in the first round by the University of Denver. 

The 19th pick in the 2024 NHL Draft did not take home any hardware during his college career but earned a gold medal with Team USA's world junior team, scoring a goal and four points in seven games.

Connelly is listed at 6'1, but just 161 lbs, which means he still has a lot of muscle and weight to add to his frame. His goal heading into his freshman season was to do so, but the injury he sustained hampered that.

The Golden Knights have a bit of a log jam with NHL forwards which means Connelly will likely join the Henderson Silver Knights in the AHL. The Silver Knights have eight games remaining on their schedule which should provide Connelly the opportunity to gain his first bit of professional hockey experience. 

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The Vegas Golden Knights could clinch a playoff spot tonight if they can beat the Edmonton Oilers tonight.

Despite not playing on Monday, the Golden Knights could have clinched their seventh playoff berth in eight years. If the Calgary Flames lost in regulation to the Colorado Avalanche the Golden Knights would have earned a spot in the postseason, but a two-goal comeback in the third and a shootout win put a halt on those celebrations.

The Golden Knights now have the opportunity to control their fate and with a win over the Oilers, they'll bring themselves a step closer to locking up their desired regular season achievements.

If the Golden Knights lose in regulation and the Flames also lose in regulation to Utah HC, the Golden Knights will clinch a playoff spot. 

The Oilers are attempting to hunt down the Golden Knights for the Pacific Division lead, but a six-game win streak by the Golden Knights has created some much-needed separation. 

The Oilers remain without Connor McDavid but recently reinstated Leon Draisaitl back into their lineup. In his return on Saturday, Drasaitl recorded two goals and three points, picking up points on all three goals and scoring the overtime winner. 

Slowing him down will be a difficult task but it's a matchup that Jack Eichel seems to relish in. His game elevates whenever he's matched up against another superstar and his history against the Oilers is quite good. In 19 games against the Oilers, the 28-year-old has scored eight goals and 21 points. 

The Oilers are ravaged by injuries at the moment, currently without McDavid, Mattias Ekholm, Stuart Skinner, Trent Frederic and Evander Kane, but the Golden Knights too are dealing with several injuries. They'll be without Tomas Hertl, Ilya Samsonov and likely Alex Pietrangelo. 

It's a vital game for the Golden Knights as they continue to gear up for the playoffs. 

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Tomas Hertl Unavailable For The Golden Knights This WeekVegas Golden Knights forward Tomas Hertl will be unavailable this week as he deals with an injury. 

Golden Knights Recall Akira Schmid Amid Injury Concern For Ilya SamsonovThe Vegas Golden Knights have recalled goaltender Akira Schmid from the Henderson Silver Knights as they deal with a possible injury concern with Ilya Samsonov.

The Chicago Blackhawks face off against the Washington Capitals on Friday, April 4 with Alex Ovechkin hot on the heels of Wayne Gretzky's goal record.

While the Blackhawks only have one game before playing the Capitals, Washington plays twice ahead of hosting the Blackhawks. It seems like the likeliest time that the soon-to-be all-time goal scorer in the NHL is going to break Gretzky's record.

Ovechkin is just four goals away from tying the record as he sits at 890 goals. The Capitals play the Boston Bruins, who are on the verge of falling into last place in the Eastern Conference, and the Carolina Hurricanes. The Capitals' captain doesn't have to get four goals in the next two games to be able to break the record at home against the Blackhawks. Chicago isn't a good team and has allowed the third-most goals against this season.

Ovechkin just has to be within range, whether that means scoring 2-3 goals in his next two games and then lighting up the Blackhawks, it can be done. The team that it would be the most special against is the Pittsburgh Penguins though. The Capitals and Penguins face off in the last game of the season in Pittsburgh.

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