After Nate Schmidt and the Golden Knights shut out the Capitals 3-0 in the last game before the holiday break, the former Caps defenseman joined John Buccigross on SportsCenter to talk all things Vegas.

Schmidt covered everything from the so-called Vegas flu to the celebrities he met at games.

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John Buccigross: “I used to broadcast Nate Schmidt when he played college hockey for the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the St. Cloud Minnesota native joined us now live on SportsCenter. This is really cool to talk to you in this situation. Again, you grew up in Minnesota and you’re playing hockey in the desert. What’s it like to play a hockey game in Las Vegas these days? ”

Nate Schmidt: “I’m telling you, we’re just another show down here in Vegas. It’s been awesome. We’re surprising a lot of people especially with the game tonight against a good team. We have such an awesome fan base. It’s rocking here every night and it makes it a lot of fun to come to the rink everyday.”

John Buccigross: “You’ve been in the league for a while playing for the Washington Capitals for a couple years. Now you’re with Vegas. How does your crowd compare to other crowds around the NHL? What makes it unique?”

Nate Schmidt: “It’s something else right now. It’s an absolutely buzz from the first time we walk into the rink for warmups to all the way through the first period, second period, it’s – we’re really feeding off the energy from our crowd. It feels like a playoff game! Each and every night here, we’ve been playing some really good teams lately, and our fans have really come out and shown us some support the past couple weeks.”

John Buccigross: “Have you met Carrot Top yet?”

Nate Schmidt: [laughs] “I haven’t. Does Cody Eakin count?”

John Buccigross: “Yes!”

Nate Schmidt: “Other than that, no I haven’t.”

John Buccigross: “What’s the weirdest thing you’ve seen at a Vegas game? Whats the most unique thing – whether is on the Jumbotron or some sort of weird thing you haven’t seen anywhere else.”

Nate Schmidt: “Oh man….oh man! You know, everything is a show. In intermissions you have Cirque du Soleil coming out. Just an absolute buzz. You have the wave going. Everyone is just having a great time. It’s Vegas, baby! People come here to have fun and our games our awesome right now.”

John Buccigross: “People thought that coming into this year that some teams would struggle against you guys because of some distractions that your city has. Are you sensing?”

Nate Schmidt: “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

John Buccigross: Are you sensing it can be difficult for opposing teams to play in Vegas?”

Nate Schmidt: “You know, there is not a lot of distraction here. Not a lot of things to do. I’m telling you, it’s a great city. It has a lot to offer, but I like to think there are little things might throw some guys off their game. The Knights are playing really well right now and it’s been a factor here at home.”

John Buccigross: “Have you met anyone famous? With all the shows going on, the different characters, Blue Man Group, the Garth Brooks…have you met anyone yet?”

Nate Schmidt: “Yeah, Steve Aoki and Lil Jon have been in the locker room a couple times. Just expanding our fan base, you know. The local connection with Bryce Harper, especially with him dropping the puck here tonight. That was awesome especially against Washington.”

John Buccigross: All right, what’s the spread look like after the game? You go back in the room and you want to eat. What do you eat tonight?”

Nate Schmidt: “Oh man! They usually have a nice prime rib or a nice steak and I dig it. It’s Christmas break!”

John Buccigross: “That’s right! You are off for three days. All you can eat prime rib. Nothing says Vegas like all you can eat prime rib. Nate Schmidt. A great start, a great guest. Congratulations on the start. Again, you are in first place tonight if the Kings don’t get a point. Merry Christmas!”