Vegas Golden Knights: Lehner shines on debut, other takeaways

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 28: Reilly Smith #19 of the Vegas Golden Knights scores a wraparound goal, his first of two goals in the third period, against Carter Hutton #40 of the Buffalo Sabres during their game at T-Mobile Arena on February 28, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Sabres 4-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

2. Smith has the golden touch

It has been a hell of a year for Reilly Smith.

While he may not grab the headlines that some of his teammates attract, Smith is Mr. Consistent for the Vegas Golden Knights.

And he has been an absolute force this year, coming up clutch for his team when they have needed him most.

It was another potent night in-front of the net for Smith, who finished with two goals to take his goals total to 27 for the year.

In doing so, Smith has already equalled the previous career-high (25) he set in goals in 2015-16 for the Florida Panthers, with still over a month of the regular season to go.

Smith has emerged as one of the Golden Knights’ most consistent weapons this year, and he was his deadly self against the Sabres.

On his first goal, Smith picked up the puck and skated behind the net before beating Carter Hutton on the wraparound, while he showed silky hands to deke around a Sabres player before scoring an empty-netter for his second goal of the game.

With Alex Tuch, Cody Glass and Mark Stone all out, the Vegas Golden Knights need players to step up and Reilly Smith has been rising to the occasion all year.

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