GDT Game 9: 10/21/17 | 9:30 PM CT | @ G. Knights | FSMW/KMOX

[theohall]

Game is also free on NHL.TV tonight.

LAS VEGAS -- The expansion Vegas Golden Knights have been the feel-good story of the first two weeks of the National Hockey League, winning five games and trailing the first-place Los Angeles Kings by just one point in the Pacific Division standings.

Now comes a real litmus test for Gerard Gallant's squad, which hosts the Central Division-leading St. Louis (6-2-0) on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena. Three nights later, the Chicago Blackhawks (4-2-2) pay a visit.

Vegas enters the two-game Western Conference showdown with a glossy 5-1-0 record. However, upon closer inspection, the Golden Knights have defeated just one team with a winning record, the Dallas Stars (4-3-0). Three of the wins came against the Arizona Coyotes (twice) and Buffalo Sabres, who have a combined one victory between them.

"No, I don't look at it like that," Gallant said when asked if the next two games will offer a better barometer of just how good his squad is. "Every game is tough for our team. Every game we try and get ready to play. We're an expansion team. We've got to work hard every game. I want the same effort no matter who we're playing."

"St. Louis is a heavy, physical fast team with a lot of skill," Vegas left winger James Neal said. "It's a team I saw a lot of while playing in Nashville. They're playing well right now so it will be a good test for us."

Although Neal admits the quick start is "still early for sure," he wasn't afraid to utter the "P" word when looking ahead.

"We want to make to make the playoffs," Neal said. "We want to be competitive. We're going in the right direction."

Neal and St. Louis center Jaden Schwartz are among four players tied for third in the NHL with six goals. Schwartz had a hat trick in the Blues' 5-2 win over the Blackhawks on Wednesday night. St. Louis followed that up with a 4-3 victory at Colorado on Thursday as center Paul Stastny, who helped lead the University of Denver to the 2005 NCAA Hockey title, registered a goal and an assist to pass the 600-point milestone in his career. He now has 601.

"It's kind of unique and special to get it here, home base for me," Stastny said. "If we don't get that win I don't think it feels that special. It's cool. It's special. It's something you don't really think about it, just in the moment. When season is done or my career is done, I'll reflect. My mindset has always been just enjoy the moment."

Stastny still has a long ways to go to catch his father, NHL Hall of Famer Peter Stastny, who finished with 1,239 points, including 450 goals.

Saturday night's contest ends a stretch that saw St. Louis play seven of its first nine games on the road. The Blues return home on Wednesday to host Calgary, beginning a span in which the Blues will play seven of nine games at Scottrade Center.

[glen a richter]

Vegas may be off to a good start but it's not saying much to beat Arizona. They'll come down to Earth.

Blues 5 (Pie, Dunn, Steen, Jaskin, Schenn)
Knights 2

[theohall]

Worried this could be a "let down" type game. Let's see if the Blues have lost the "play down to their opponent's level" thing when playing less skilled teams.

[gaijin]

Let's make our first game against Vegas a win.

[glen a richter]

The only thing that would really concern me is the 3 games in 4 nights thing, but I think they'll be more than fine tonight. Vegas hasn't really played anyone of significance yet, so this is more a test for them than anything.

[Robb_K]

Brayden Schenn robbed by Subban on a breakaway!

[Robb_K]

The Blues have been sloppy with the puck so far. But they'll be on the power play now.

[Robb_K]

Not a well-executed power play. But The Blues will be on it once again.

[Robb_K]

Too bad Schenn fanned on that shot down low! Could have easily been a goal.

[Robb_K]

Sundqvist tucks the puck in on the wrap-around!!! Blues lead 1-0!!!

[Robb_K]

Blues on The PP. Paajarvi gets the goal.

Poor pass by Blais ruined a nice opportunity.

[Robb_K]

Blues are ahead, but they haven't played a very good 1st period.

[Robb_K]

Blais has been making several careless blind passes. Now a bad pass by Dunn. It must be catching.

[Robb_K]

The Blues are leading in shots on goal, 23-6! And they are playing sloppily! Have to wonder how The Knights have a 5-1 record.

Maybe The Knights are playing a sloppy game, too. They just took their 4th penalty.

[Robb_K]

Another weak power play effort.

Upshall takes yet another unnecessary penalty.

[Robb_K]

Uncharacteristic of The Blues to give up 2 consecutive PP goals. And very late in the period. Yeo will have something to say.

[Robb_K]

Not a good 2nd. The Blues had better come out skating and hitting in The 3rd.

[theohall]

The Knights are 5-1 because they use their speed. When the Blues are on the PP, no one has any time with the puck, because the GKs aggressively challenge whomever has it. It's not pretty, but it's enough in the NHL to be competitive. Not necessarily playoff competitive, but night-to-night competitive.

Yes, the Blues have dominated in shots on goal, but aren't getting much sustained offensive zone pressure - like they were able to do vs Chicago and at times vs Colorado.

Gallant has the Knights using their biggest strength - speed, speed, speed. Get to pucks first, pressure puck carriers relentlessly.

[Robb_K]

It would be nice for The Blues to get an early goal.

Did Sobotka knock the puck in?

[Robb_K]

Did Sobotka knock the puck in? The puck HAS to be totally across the line, but there's no camera angle where it can be seen. Yet another problem with the goal judging rules. If none of the goalie's body is even touching the goal line, and the puck can't be seen, the judges in Toronto should be able to rule it a goal. But the rules prevent that.