Knights’ Alex Tuch, Ryan Carpenter ready for playoff debuts

Golden Knights right wing Alex Tuch (89) and Golden Knights center Ryan Carpenter (40) celebrate after Tuch scored the Knights' second goal of the game during the second period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena on Wednesday, March 28, 2018. Patrick Connolly Las Vegas Review-Journal @PConnPie

Golden Knights right wing Alex Tuch (89) moves the puck past San Jose Sharks center Melker Karlsson (68) during the first period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 31, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Golden Knights right wing Alex Tuch (89) scores the Knights' second goal of the game as Arizona Coyotes defenseman Luke Schenn (2) and Arizona Coyotes goaltender Antti Raanta (32) watch during the second period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena on Wednesday, March 28, 2018. Patrick Connolly Las Vegas Review-Journal @PConnPie

Golden Knights right wing Alex Tuch (89) and Arizona Coyotes defenseman Kevin Connauton (44) battle over the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena on Wednesday, March 28, 2018. Patrick Connolly Las Vegas Review-Journal @PConnPie

Golden Knights center Ryan Carpenter (40) skates with the puck as San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture (39) defends during the second period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 31, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Golden Knights center Ryan Carpenter, left, reacts after a goal by Golden Knights center Cody Eakin (21) during the first period of an NHL hockey game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto

Vegas Golden Knights center Ryan Carpenter (40), right, chips in the puck for a goal past Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba (24) and goaltender Alex Stalock (32) during the third period of an NHL hockey game between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Minnesota Wild at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Friday, March 16, 2018. Richard Brian Las Vegas Review-Journal @vegasphotograph

For years, they’ve watched the Stanley Cup playoffs on TV. Now, Alex Tuch and Ryan Carpenter get to experience it for the first time.

The Golden Knights forwards will be in the lineup Wednesday night for Game 1 against the Los Angeles Kings at T-Mobile Arena. Both said the moment won’t be too big for them, and they’ve been adjusting their games the past couple of weeks to get in postseason mode.

“I’ve been trying to get to the net more,” said Tuch, 21, who started the season in the American Hockey League but joined the Knights on Oct. 14 and finished with 15 goals and 22 assists. “I’m also trying to be patient when I have the puck and wait to find an open teammate.”

Carpenter, 26, who was acquired in mid-December off waivers from San Jose and had nine goals and 14 points in 36 games, said: “My big thing is to take care of the puck. You don’t want to turn it over, especially in your own end.”

Coach Gerard Gallant said he has faith in Tuch and Carpenter.

“They’re a couple of big, strong kids, and they’ve played well for us all year,” Gallant said. “We want them to play their games and do what they’ve been doing.”

Will defensemen return?

The Knights and Kings are expecting to have key members of their defense back for the series. But whether Luca Sbisa returns to the Knights and Jake Muzzin is back for the Kings for Game 1 is still unclear.

“I hope to be in there, but I don’t know,” said Sbisa, who missed the final 19 games with an injured right hand. “It’s still day to day.”

Sbisa skated with Brad Hunt on Tuesday, and Jon Merrill worked with Colin Miller as the Knights’ third defense pairing.

Muzzin, who has been out since March 26 with an upper-body injury, skated Tuesday. But Kings coach John Stevens said his status for Wednesday remains uncertain.

“We got him in a couple practices here,” he said. “It was really good to get him in practice from a timing standpoint. He’s been working hard to keep his legs going and really working hard to keep his energy up this time of the year.”

Bettman in town

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman will be in attendance Wednesday. Bettman is holding a pregame news conference at T-Mobile Arena, and the league is expected to announce the NHL Awards Show will be returning to Las Vegas in June.

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Contact Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow @stevecarprj on Twitter.