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Vegas-Lightning, of all things, is the biggest show in town

The Lightning, the best team in hockey, welcome the Vegas Golden Knights, only the greatest expansion team in .sports history
 
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore skates with the puck against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore skates with the puck against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Published Jan. 17, 2018|Updated Jan. 17, 2018

TAMPA — It's Vegas night.

Who would have thought we would have been circling this one on the schedule before the NHL season began?

Vegas Golden Knights and Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena.

We've circled it just the same.

It's Vegas night.

Any way to get the Seminole Hard Rock to drop the ceremonial first puck?

Okay, it's not the 1977-78 Montreal Canadiens.

It's the Vegas Knights, the miracle baby, the greatest expansion team in sports history.

"They're one of the best teams we've played this year in the league," Lightning captain Steve Stamkos said. "Their attitude is having fun and play the game – and they're doing it."

Oh, and we could be watching a preview of the Stanley Cup final.

Who would have thought?

The Lightning and Vegas.

It really could happen.

Yes, the Lightning has hit a speed bump — Victor Hedman's injury and some sloppy play heading into the bye. Yes, Vegas is coming off a 1-0 loss at Nashville. That might have been a preview of the Western Conference final.
But anything can happen. There are months to go.

But this is something, as far as mid-January goes.

Seriously, did you ever think Lightning fans — or fans anywhere — would be standing around in the middle of the season and saying, "Hey, Vegas is coming in?"

The Lightning has the best record and the most points in hockey; Vegas is right behind. They are atop their respective conferences.

"It's been a great ride so far," Knights coach and former Lightning player Gerard Gallant said.

The Lightning, fortified by Hedman's injury not being a season-ender, is out to settle a score with Vegas and bolt from the gate after a bye week.

Regular-season games can be overhyped.

This one isn't.

Even if it is, who cares?

It's Vegas night.

"I think it's definitely a good matchup for both teams — best in the East against best in the West," Lightning defenseman Dan Girardi said. "It has nothing to do with playoffs or anything like that. It's just two good teams. It was a great game in Vegas. It's going to be a fun night. They just keep coming at you in waves. It's going to be a really good test for us. That's a solid hockey team over there."

I mean, did you see the sneak preview? The teams met for the first time last month, in Vegas' deafening arena. It might very well have been the best game in the first half of the season: back and forth, the Lightning jumping out to a 2-0 lead, Vegas storming back for the lead, the Lightning tying it late on a Hedman goal, only to lose it with 2.3 seconds left on a goal by Vegas' Shea Theodore with Lightning defenseman Braydon Coburn in the penalty box.

The roof almost came off the Vegas arena.

It's the Lightning's turn. It's Lightning fans' turn.

It's Vegas night.

How did this happen?

"I don't think the league knew they were going to be this good. I don't think anyone thought they'd be this good," Stamkos said.

Former Lightning defenseman Jason Garrison was taken by Vegas in the expansion draft. Garrison is now back with Vegas after a long stint in the AHL. Garrison looks at the Lightning and still sees something special.

"They have every kind of a dynamic of a good hockey team covered, from the goaltending to the coaching staff," Garrison said.

Back to Vegas.

How did this happen?

The Golden Knights benefited from being the only expansion team this season. It made a killing in the expansion draft and Vegas general manager George McPhee built from there, putting the right pieces in place. A cast of castaways has made Vegas a surprise winner. That would include former Florida Panther (and Lightning wing Jonathan Marchessault, who leads Vegas in points, though he wasn't picked for the All-Star Game in Tampa.
Add the hiring of coach Gallant, who played with Lightning GM Steve Yzerman in Detroit. They remain close. Gallant took the Panthers to the playoffs in 2015-16 but was abruptly fired early last season. He has Vegas rolling and is a runaway favorite for coach of the year.

"You add it all together and you've got one hell of a hockey team," said Cooper, who likened the game in Vegas to a playoff hockey. "We all know how that game ended. I can't say we deserved to win, that we were the better team that night. But any time you play 59 minutes and 57 seconds, you think you'd get one point out of it."

"They never take shifts off," Girardi said. "They're on top of you. There's never a lull in their game. They're coming, they're coming, they're coming. We play that way, too."

"I hope we're like them," Gallant said. "They're a top team in the league. They're quick, and they're fast."

Something has to give.

It's Vegas night.

Maybe it will happen down the road, too.

"I hope it works out that way," Stamkos said of a potential Cup final. "But it's so far away."

"That would be lot of fun, for sure," Garrison said. "It's still a long way away. But it's possible. Anything is possible."

It's Vegas night.

Who would have thought?