2 key Golden Knights don’t practice before playoffs begin

Two key members of the Golden Knights didn’t practice Saturday on the eve of the team’s first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Wild.

Left wing Max Pacioretty and defenseman Alec Martinez didn’t skate with the rest of their teammates at City National Arena. Coach Pete DeBoer said both are considered game-time decisions for the series’ opening game at noon Sunday at T-Mobile Arena.

DeBoer said the same thing about forwards Ryan Reaves and Tomas Nosek, who practiced fully Saturday after being injured at the end of the regular season. Right wing Alex Tuch also practiced Saturday after sitting out the third period of the Knights’ final regular-season game Wednesday.

“We’ll see how they feel tomorrow when they wake up,” DeBoer said on Reaves and Nosek.

Pacioretty and Martinez were both out at the end of the regular season with undisclosed injuries. Pacioretty missed the final six games and Martinez sat out the last two.

Pacioretty led the Knights in goals for the second straight year with 24 and was second in points with 51. Martinez had an impressive first full season with the team, scoring 32 points and leading the NHL in blocked shots with 168. The next-closest player had 128.

Reaves hasn’t played since April 11, and Nosek hasn’t appeared since April 24 with undisclosed injuries. Reaves was in his usual spot at fourth-line right wing Saturday, while Nosek took Pacioretty’s spot at first-line left wing.

Nosek was having his best season to date before he got hurt. He set a career high with 18 points despite playing in only 38 games. He also scored eight goals, which matched his career best.

Net-front focus

The Knights included some net-front drills in their two practices leading up to the playoffs, hoping to shore up an area of their game the Wild took advantage of during the regular season.

Minnesota scored 13 of its 23 goals against the Knights within 10 feet of the net. The Wild succeeded at bringing traffic in front to create deflections and rebounds.

“Well, they have big guys up front,” defenseman Alex Pietrangelo said. “Big, heavy guys that are going to the front of the net. They’re predictable in terms of getting there. They want to get there, they’re going to put the puck there. For us, it’s expecting that and it’s expecting that they’re going to put pucks in the crease off the rush, even offensive-zone plays.”

Vaccine clinic

The Knights will host a vaccine clinic at T-Mobile Arena before Sunday’s game in partnership with Immunize Nevada and Smith’s Food and Drug.

Vaccines will be available between 9:30 a.m. and noon. All Nevadans 12 and older are able to participate. Those that do will receive team-branded items, such as a hat and exclusive sticker.

Masks must be worn at all times. Masks will also be required during the game except when eating and drinking.

Contact Ben Gotz at bgotz@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BenSGotz on Twitter.