What happened: Craig said the club "raised our assertiveness in the third period," tying the late push to a better overall showing. Brett Howden and Mark Stone also spoke after the Friday result.

Why it matters: The defeat lands in the preseason, with Ryan Craig's first camp still centered on installing habits and structure. A better third period gives Vegas a clearer benchmark as it tunes pace and roles for the 2026-27 opener.

What to watch: Vegas' next preseason outing will show whether the third-period push carries over. Craig's postgame focus on assertiveness is the thread to watch.