Golden Knights Stars Speak Before Kraken Matchup

Stone, Lauzon, and Tortorella address media ahead of Thursday's game in Seattle.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 7:52pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting in bold colors representing a hockey game, with sharp, overlapping shapes and planes that deconstruct the action on the ice.A cubist interpretation of the upcoming clash between the Golden Knights and Kraken, capturing the intensity and strategic complexity of their divisional matchup.Seattle Today

Ahead of the Vegas Golden Knights' matchup against the Seattle Kraken, key players Mark Stone and Jeremy Lauzon, along with head coach John Tortorella, spoke to the media following the team's pregame morning skate at Climate Pledge Arena.

Why it matters

The Golden Knights are looking to bounce back from a recent slump, while the Kraken are fighting to stay in the playoff race. Hearing from the team's top players and coach provides insight into their mindset and strategy heading into this important divisional clash.

The details

Stone, the Golden Knights' captain, discussed the team's recent struggles and the need to improve their play in all three zones. Lauzon, a defenseman, talked about the challenge of facing the Kraken's high-powered offense. Tortorella emphasized the importance of discipline and attention to detail as the Golden Knights look to get back on track.

  • The pregame media availability took place on Thursday morning, just hours before the game against the Kraken.

The players

Mark Stone

The captain of the Vegas Golden Knights, known for his two-way play and leadership on the ice.

Jeremy Lauzon

A defenseman for the Vegas Golden Knights, acquired in a trade from the Seattle Kraken last season.

John Tortorella

The head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights, a veteran NHL coach known for his intense and demanding coaching style.

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What they’re saying

“We need to be better in all three zones. That's the bottom line. We need to be better in our own zone, we need to be better in the neutral zone, and we need to be better in the offensive zone.”

— Mark Stone, Captain, Vegas Golden Knights

“They have a lot of skill up front, so we need to be really disciplined and make sure we're taking care of our own end first.”

— Jeremy Lauzon, Defenseman, Vegas Golden Knights

“We need to make sure we're playing the right way. That's the most important thing for us right now.”

— John Tortorella, Head Coach, Vegas Golden Knights

What’s next

The Golden Knights and Kraken will face off on Thursday night at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. The game will be a crucial divisional matchup as both teams look to improve their playoff positioning.

The takeaway

The pregame comments from the Golden Knights' key players and coach highlight the team's focus on improving their overall play and discipline as they look to get back on track against a tough divisional opponent in the Kraken.