Golden Knights increase capacity for Game 5
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Golden Knights are going to return home to even more fans than before.
The team announced Friday that T-Mobile Arena will have increased capacity starting Monday with Game 5 against the Minnesota Wild. The Knights put additional tickets on sale in conjunction with the news.
The team had announced crowds of 8,683 its first two playoff home games. It’s unclear what T-Mobile Arena’s capacity will be for Game 5.
Only four playoff teams had hosted larger crowds than the Knights entering Friday. The Carolina Hurricanes had announced crowds of 12,000 their first two playoff games, and Florida (9,646), Tampa Bay (9,508) and Pittsburgh (9,344) have also had more fans in the stands.
Fan capacity has gradually increased at T-Mobile Arena this year. The Knights started with an announced crowd of 2,605 on March 1 and had 7,567 fans at their final regular-season home game against Colorado.
The Knights were 13-3-1 in the regular season after fans were allowed back at their building. They are 1-1 in the playoffs at home after playing in an empty building in Edmonton last postseason.
“It means the world (to have fans),” left wing Jonathan Marchessault said after the team’s Game 2 victory Tuesday. “Last year, it was quite awful, I would say. This year it’s unbelievable the feeling that we get in the playoffs here.”
Knights building game
The Knights feel they’re improving throughout their first-round series against the Wild.
They didn’t score in Game 1, had three goals in Game 2 and struck five times in Game 3. They also allowed their fewest shots on goal (16) and high-danger scoring chances (seven) of the series in Game 3.
The Knights have already taken home-ice advantage back from the Wild, so they can get greedy and push for a 3-1 series lead.
Teams that go up 3-1 in a series on the road win 91.8 percent of the time, according to Hockey-Reference.com. Teams that return home with the series tied 2-2 win 59.2 percent of the time.
“We know the importance of the next game,” coach Pete DeBoer said. “We think our game’s going in the right direction. We’re getting better as the series goes here. We’ll be ready to play.”
Martinez managing
Defenseman Alec Martinez missed the final two games of the regular season with an undisclosed injury and hasn’t participated in a practice or morning skate during the playoffs.
He still hasn’t missed a game against the Wild. The two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Los Angeles Kings has averaged 21:02 of ice time this series.
He’s also as fearless blocking shots as ever. Martinez, who led the NHL in blocked shots with 168 in the regular season, has a league-leading 14 in the playoffs.
“I feel great,” Martinez said. “I think that the medical staff and our entire staff here is top notch. … I feel fine. Really a tip of the cap to them. They’re awesome.”
Johansson injury
Minnesota coach Dean Evason said forward Marcus Johansson, who was injured cutting to the net in the first period Thursday, broke his arm.
Evason did not say who would replace Johansson in the Wild’s lineup. One option is veteran forward Zach Parise, who was a healthy scratch the first three games of the series.
Parise ranks third among active American-born skaters in goals with 393. The 36-year-old was the New Jersey Devils’ captain when DeBoer coached the team to the 2012 Stanley Cup Final.
Contact Ben Gotz at bgotz@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BenSGotz on Twitter.