LAS VEGAS — The Golden Knights shrugged off a sluggish start and cruised to a 4-0 win over the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night.
Mark Stone scored a goal and had two assists, Tanner Pearson had a goal and an assist, and Ivan Barbashev and Brandon Saad each added a goal in the win.
Vegas goaltender Ilya Samsonov stopped all 22 shots he faced to earn his second shutout this season, and 15th of his career.
Vegas extended its lead over the Edmonton Oilers in the Pacific Division to six points (82-76) with its fourth straight win and seventh in eight games.
Here are three takeaways from Friday’s win:
MUCH-NEEDED WIN: After losing three of four and six of his previous eight, Samsonov won his second straight start. But it wasn’t just getting a victory, coach Bruce Cassidy said, as much as it was how Samsonov dominated earlier in the game while Vegas was still trying to find a groove offensively. Of the 22 shots Samsonov saved, 18 were in the first two periods – nine in both the first and second.
“He needed a game like that,” Cassidy said. “And then we came around and played better in front of him as the game went on. He made the saves he had to early. When you look at the game at the end, it’s like, ‘Okay, it’s 4-0, not a lot going on.’ But early on he had to make saves. We weren’t chasing the game.”
RETURN OF REILLY: Original “Golden Misfit” Reilly Smith returned to a rousing ovation, after he returned to Vegas on Thursday via trade with the New York Rangers. Smith helped the Golden Knights win the 2023 Stanley Cup and was traded to the Penguins less than a month later. Then, last offseason, he was dealt to New York. Smith was all smiles during morning skate, saying it felt like coming home. The 33-year-old played 19 shifts in 14 minutes, 19 seconds of playing time.
“It definitely lived up to everything that I expected,” Smith said about his first game back with Vegas. “Nice to get a win. You know, myself, just trying to catch up to speed as quickly as possible. System is a little different, so there’s things that definitely I got to get better. But just overall, as a game, I think it went pretty well. I think our team did a great job just keeping the puck going north and making the most of our chances.”
MORE MILESTONES: Jack Eichel played in his 600th career game. Coincidentally, in his return, Smith played in his 400th game as a Golden Knight. It was also the 899th game of his career. Smith said he didn’t realize it was his 400th until just before learning he’d start in his return game. He also said he’s had “900 games to think” about the milestone that should come Sunday against the Los Angeles Kings barring any unforeseen circumstances.
“It seems that over the last couple years the games don’t jumble up as fast as they used to,” Smith said. “I’m proud to be able to get to that moment. I was always super happy just be able to play one. So just another one to soak in the moment, and hopefully just continue that trend and get to 100 more.”
