Nicolas Roy makes Golden Knights debut against Anaheim Ducks

Nicolas Roy didn’t just play well in his Golden Knights debut, he soared.

The 22-year-old center scored his first career goal Sunday against the Anaheim Ducks after a spectacular individual effort. Roy skated between two defenders, lost the puck, got it back and sent it through the five-hole of goaltender John Gibson with 4:31 left in the first period.

He launched himself into the glass immediately afterward in celebration. His smile made it look like he never wanted to come down.

“Usually I don’t even (celebrate) after a goal, but that one I had to,” Roy said. “I was just so pumped.”

Roy’s goal — his first career point — came in his eighth NHL game, a 5-2 victory over the Ducks. He was acquired by the Knights in June, along with a conditional fifth-round pick, from the Carolina Hurricanes for forward Erik Haula.

Coach Gerard Gallant inserted him into the lineup Sunday in hopes that the physical, two-way player would add some speed to the team’s bottom line. The 6-foot-4 center did more than that. He scored and also set up the Knights’ second goal with 12:20 left in the first.

His hit on Korbinian Holzer along the boards led to a turnover, and left wing William Carrier capitalized by setting up right wing Ryan Reaves for his second goal.

To get Roy in the lineup, Tomas Nosek was moved from fourth-line center to third-line left wing. Gallant did not play left wing Brandon Pirri. Also, rookie defenseman Nicolas Hague replaced rookie Jake Bischoff.

“We just got to get better,” Gallant said before the game. “I wasn’t happy with the last game (a 6-1 home loss Friday to the Colorado Avalanche), and we’re making a few changes in our lineup.”

On the farm

The Knights’ system boasts the top scorer in the American Hockey League and NCAA.

Forward Lucas Elvenes, the Review-Journal’s No. 4 Knights prospect, leads the AHL with 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) through eight games. Elvenes, 20, is playing in North America for the first time after beginning his professional career in Sweden. He was a fifth-round pick (127h overall) in 2017.

Forward Jack Dugan, a sophomore at Providence, leads Division I with 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in six games.

The 21-year-old is the Review-Journal’s No. 8 Knights prospect and was also a fifth-round pick (142nd overall) in 2017.

Kids Day

Sunday’s game was the Knights’ first “Kids Day” this season. All fans received Upper Deck Knights player cards, and children in attendance had access to free ice cream sundaes and the “Kid Zone” until the opening faceoff.

The Knights haven’t announced their next “Kids Day.”

More Golden Knights: Follow at reviewjournal.com/GoldenKnights and @HockeyinVegas on Twitter.

Contact Ben Gotz at bgotz@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BenSGotz on Twitter.