Flyers’ season opener will be in an electric Vegas atmosphere celebrating Golden Knights’ swift success

LAS VEGAS — The Flyers will open their season Thursday in ear-splitting T-Mobile Arena, where Vegas Golden Knights fans will salute their expansion team's improbable Western Conference championship in a pregame ceremony.

Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere recalled the electric atmosphere in last year's game in Vegas, "and that was in the middle of the season, so I can imagine what the home opener is going to be like with the hype here," he said.

Long-term, the Flyers believe they are in a position to improve on last season's 98-point campaign.

"We feel pretty confident in our team; we think we can take that step forward and be a more consistent team and just do a little bit more damage during the whole season," said captain Claude Giroux, who finished second in the NHL with 102 points in 2017-18.

"I feel good at where we're at, but in the end, we have to go out on the ice and get it done," general manager Ron Hextall said. "I feel good about our team. I feel we're going in fairly healthy when you look at some other teams."

Vegas, for instance, will be without injured third-line forwards Alex Tuch and Cody Eakin. But the Golden Knights, coming off a 109-point season, bolstered their team by adding Paul Stastny and Max Pacioretty in the offseason.

Vegas stunned the hockey world by reaching the Stanley Cup Final last season.

"Tomorrow is going to be tough," Hextall said before Wednesday's practice. The Golden Knights "have a lot of excitement in trying to build on what they did last year. It's a tough building to play in, so we're certainly going to have our hands full."

The Flyers split their two games with the Knights last season, including a 4-1 win in Vegas.

Based on Wednesday's practice, Wayne Simmonds will be on the first power-play unit, and James van Riemsdyk will be on the second unit to start the season. … Andrew MacDonald will be a full-time alternate captain this season, coach Dave Hakstol said. He shared the "A" last season with Val Filppula, whose contract was not renewed. … Jordan Weal, Dale Weise, and Christian Folin are expected to be in the press box for Thursday's game. Hextall said he saw Weal as more of a top-nine player who can fill in if someone isn't producing or there is an injury. "He can play all three positions, which is good for him," he said. … Because of possible immigration problems, goalie Calvin Pickard may not get to Vegas for Thursday's game, meaning Anthony Stolarz would be the backup. … The streamlining of goalie pads "is a step in the right direction" and should increase scoring, said Hextall, who said it was "crazy" to talk about making the nets bigger to help offenses.