Alex Pietrangelo is battling an illness and will not suit up on Tuesday, allowing Hague to draw into the lineup. Hague did not play the last game but has been a regular for the Golden Knights this season, posting 12 points (2G / 10A), 102 hits, and 94 blocks in 58 games this season.
Hague has a goal, two assists, 14 PIMs, eight SOG, and a -1 plus/minus but will be out for at least this weekend's games as he deals with a lower-body injury. The 24-year-old will be replaced by Ben Hutton on Vegas' third defensive pairing.
The Golden Knights signed their RFA defenseman the day before the season started, so he will not play since he's been away from the team during the preseason. Hague was training with the Kitchener Rangers (OHL) during training camp. The 23-year-old had four goals and 10 assists (14 points) in 52 games a season ago.
The 23-year-old defenseman has collected 10 goals and 42 points across 142 games in three years with the Vegas Golden Knights. In 2021-22, he averaged a career-high 18:40 average time-on-ice on way to finishing third among Vegas defensemen with 116 shots on goal. He enters the 2022-23 season expected to be paired on the Golden Knights' third pair alongside Zach Whitecloud.
It is unclear what is ailing Hague but he will not be available on Thursday. Dylan Coghlan skated on the top line in the morning skate and will likely take Hague's spot there in the game.
Hague was listed as day-to-day on Monday but has been upgraded to a game-time decision. The Golden Knights are already without Alec Martinez and Zach Whitecloud, so missing Hague as well would leave them very shorthanded on the blueline.
Hague is day-to-day and not expected to play Tuesday vs. the Sabres, but Alec Martinez was on the ice on Monday and could draw back in to replace him.
Hague will replace Daniil Mriomanov on the Golden Knights' blueline and re-enters the lineup with 13 points (3G / 10A) in 32 games this season. Monday will be Hague's first game since December 28th.
