Not many people would associate Cole Reinhardt with the power play. They wouldn't think that the Vegas Golden Knights forward would carry the load on the unit. After all, he doesn't have a single power play point in his career.
But that doesn't mean that he's useful for setting it up. In fact, he's done an excellent job in one particular area: setting up penalties.
Cole Reinhardt has now drawn a penalty in 4 straight games. He's drawn 6 in the last 4 games.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) November 21, 2025
He has taken just one penalty himself, a coincidental minor tonight for roughing.
Drawing six penalties in your last four contests entering Friday is an amazing feat. While scoring one goal and two assists this season won't make you stand out, drawing penalties is the next best thing, especially for a surging power play. The Golden Knights have a power play percentage of 24.3%, ranking eighth in the NHL.
They've also seen the unit score five times (12 opportunities) in their last four games. That included an incredible showing on Sunday against the Minnesota Wild, where they scored two goals for the loser point. In fact, they scored two more against the New York Rangers on Tuesday, securing a 3-2 win in the process.
It's time to start appreciating Cole Reinhardt for what he's done for the Vegas Golden Knights
Reinhardt's done a tremendous job with his fourth-line work for Vegas this season. He's provided a spark plug for the lower units, doing whatever it takes to get the job done. That has rubbed off on numerous teammates, whether that's Reilly Smith, Shea Theodore, or even Ben Hutton.
In fact, he's also provided a physical aspect to the lower units. The former Senators prospect has 27 hits in 14 games this season. In an 82-game average, that equates to 169 hits. Imagine how well he'd play alongside Keegan Kolesar and Jeremy Lauzon throughout the 2025-26 season.
But let's go back to the power play for a second. How has this helped the Golden Knights, aside from eating up offensive zone time? Well, the second unit has awakened. Smith (power play goal on Sunday against the Minnesota Wild) and Theodore (power play goal on Tuesday against the New York Rangers) have suddenly picked up the slack.
In turn, it's sparked a renaissance that should set the unit up nicely once Mark Stone returns. Why not get a power play when Brandon Tanev or Mikhail Sergachev cross-checks you? It's basically free minutes of offensive zone time that you can abuse.
Reinhardt could be the secret weapon that the Golden Knights need during the Stanley Cup playoffs. Aside from drawing penalties, he's terrific at being a lower-line sparkplug. That could be what the doctor ordered for Vegas, specifically with Stanley Cup expectations looming large.