VEGAS SPORTS REPORT: Golden Knights Open Season With Statement Win, Aces Face Decisive Game 3

The Vegas Golden Knights opened their 2026–27 regular season on a winning note Wednesday night, defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 5-2 at T-Mobile Arena to secure a victory in Ryan Craig’s head coaching debut.

Going into the season, a key question for the Golden Knights was how they would replace Pavel Dorofeyev, Vegas’ leading goal scorer last season, who was traded to the New York Rangers for draft picks.

The organization signed free agent Victor Olofsson to compensate for the lost production while relying on internal leaders, led by Jack Eichel, to fill the void.

Connelly Impresses in Golden Knights’ Debut

That offensive depth was on full display Wednesday night, as five different players scored for Vegas. Shea Theodore, Brayden McNabb, and Ivan Barbashev each tallied two assists.

Olofsson scored Vegas’ first goal of the season, while Eichel finished with one goal and two assists.

Another major storyline was 20-year-old Trevor Connelly, Vegas’ top prospect, who made his debut at left wing and notched his first NHL goal at 15:22 of the first period. Connelly got to the front of the net, getting a piece of Brayden McNabb’s point shot and then staying with the play to bury the rebound for a 2-0 Vegas lead. Connelly looked remarkably comfortable during the game, getting into the hard areas.

Carter Hart stopped 24 of 26 shots in goal for Vegas. The Golden Knights continue their homestand Friday, Oct. 2, against the Anaheim Ducks.

Aces Face Elimination Game

The Las Vegas Aces missed an opportunity to close out their first-round WNBA playoff series Wednesday night in Indianapolis, falling 99-89 to the Indiana Fever.

The loss evened the best-of-three series at 1-1, sending it back to Las Vegas for a winner-take-all Game 3 on Thursday night, Oct. 1, at Michelob ULTRA Arena (6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET).

The Fever, led by Caitlin Clark with 27 points, 15 assists, and seven rebounds, bounced back after a 102-85 Game 1 loss on Sunday, Sept. 27.

Young Leads the Charge for Aces

Indiana mounted a 20-6 second-quarter run to take a 48-43 lead into halftime before outscoring Vegas 24-17 in the third period.

Jackie Young paced the Aces with 31 points and five assists, while A’ja Wilson posted 22 points and nine rebounds.

Bottom line: the Aces’ defense struggled to contain Clark, Kelsey Mitchell (26 points), and Aliyah Boston (22 points), and will need tighter perimeter containment in Thursday’s decisive Game 3.

Raiders Face Biggest Test Against Chiefs

The Las Vegas Raiders, off to a 3-0 start, host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium (1:25 p.m. PT / 4:25 p.m. ET).

For the Raiders, the divisional matchup represents their sternest test yet. Quarterback Kirk Cousins has thrown a league-leading nine touchdown passes through three games, while tight end Brock Bowers returned last week in a 35-27 victory over the New Orleans Saints, recording 10 receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown.

The central question is whether Las Vegas’ hot start remains sustainable against a Chiefs squad led by Patrick Mahomes, who has thrown seven touchdown passes in three games.

Bowers’ Strong Start

Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III is off to a fast start for Kansas City, averaging 5.5 yards per carry with 360 total rushing yards.

Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty has compiled 206 rushing yards through three games while managing an ankle injury.

Bowers, a two-time Pro Bowler, provided an immediate spark last week after returning from early-September knee surgery.

“Mentally, he was on it,” said Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak regarding Bowers’ season debut. “Not having all the practice reps all week, he was still dialed in. In the NFL, you are never 100 percent. All our guys are sore. All our guys are tired. Brock gutted it out.”

The Raiders’ defense has forced nine turnovers through three games.

“Coach [Jim] Leonhard has done an outstanding job of instilling a culture of taking the ball away,” Kubiak added.