Red Wings' Postava Calls NHL Debut a 'Fantastic Opportunity

NHL GAME PREVIEW: VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS AT DETROIT RED WINGS — NOVEMBER 5, 2026

The Vegas Golden Knights visit the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday, November 5, 2026.

Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM EST.

This is the first meeting between the two clubs this season.

Vegas enters the game with a 10-5-2 record, good for 22 points.

Detroit sits at 7-6-3 with 17 points.

The Golden Knights are coming off a 3-2 win over Pittsburgh on Tuesday night.

Tomas Hertl scored twice in that game, including a power-play goal in the final minute that decided it.

Vegas spent much of the evening killing penalties before the late man advantage arrived.

The win sent the club into Thursday's trip to Detroit with the road swing still in progress.

Special teams have driven the turnaround at the midpoint of the trip.

The power play is producing and the penalty kill has improved from its earlier form.

Rookie forward Trevor Connelly has emerged as a late-game scoring option for Vegas.

The Golden Knights are also waiting on Victor Olofsson, whose return would force lineup adjustments up front.

Olofsson rejoined the organization in the offseason, with the power play cited as a reason for the reunion.

Detroit's goaltending picture shifted again Tuesday in Tampa.

John Gibson left a 4-2 loss to the Lightning with a lower-body injury and did not return.

He allowed two goals on 11 shots before exiting.

It was the second time in under two weeks Gibson left a game, following an earlier departure against Vancouver.

The Red Wings later recalled Michal Postava from Grand Rapids under emergency conditions.

Detroit also placed defenseman Albert Johansson on injured reserve, retroactive to October 24.

Daniil Tarasov entered that game with a 2-0-2 record, a 1.76 goals-against average, a .927 save percentage and a shutout.

Tarasov ranks fourth in the league in goals-against average and is tied for fourth in save percentage.

Postava was named AHL Goaltender of the Month for October.

He already owns an NHL win in his first start.

Both Gibson and Tarasov are scheduled for unrestricted free agency next summer.

Prospect Trey Augustine is also in the organizational pipeline.

Head coach Todd McLellan acknowledged after Tuesday's game that Gibson's absence could give Tarasov an opportunity.

"Anytime we've called his number, he's come in and played really well," McLellan said.

"Obviously, with Gibby getting injured, and I don't have an update on that... He's going to get more playing time, and we'll see where he goes with it."

Tarasov was in the starter's net at the Red Wings morning skate on Thursday, according to Ansar Khan of MLive.com.

Through 11 appearances, Gibson has struggled to a 4-5-1 record with a 3.46 goals-against average and an .860 save percentage.

Tarasov's goals-against average is below 2.00 and his save percentage is above .920.

Postava has been outstanding in the American Hockey League this season.

He has a 5-0-0 record with a 1.20 goals-against average and a .955 save percentage.

When asked to make his first NHL start, he earned his first NHL victory against the Edmonton Oilers on October 26.

It was a 4-3 shootout win.

He stopped all three shootout attempts.

Detroit will host the Golden Knights on Thursday evening before heading out on another road trip.

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS PROJECTED LINES

Line 1: Brett Howden – Jack Eichel – Mark Stone

Line 2: Ivan Barbashev – William Karlsson – Mitch Marner

Line 3: Trevor Connelly – Tomas Hertl – Braeden Bowman

Line 4: Raphael Lavoie – Nic Dowd – Marc Gatcomb

Pair 1: Brayden McNabb – Shea Theodore

Pair 2: Jeremy Lauzon – Rasmus Andersson

Pair 3: Noah Hanifin – Dylan Coghlan

Goaltenders: Adin Hill – Carter Hart

Vegas power play, first unit: Mark Stone – Tomas Hertl – Trevor Connelly – Jack Eichel – Mitch Marner

Vegas power play, second unit: Ivan Barbashev – William Karlsson – Braeden Bowman – Rasmus Andersson – Shea Theodore

Vegas penalty kill, first unit: William Karlsson – Mitch Marner – Brayden McNabb – Shea Theodore