Sometimes, you're just meant to return home. Just ask Reilly Smith, who returned to the Vegas Golden Knights after being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2023. It's like the hallowed halls of T-Mobile Arena harken for the Original Misfit to return.
Granted, his return home wasn't as noteworthy as years prior. The Misfit only scored three goals and eight assists in 21 games with the Golden Knights. That's a far cry from his days where he scored 20 or more goals with Vegas.
But that doesn't mean his second go-round in Las Vegas isn't important. No, he serves a vital role with the Golden Knights. That's especially true when you're reunited with your best buddy, William Karlsson. Now, you're ready to jump on the penalty kill and wreak havoc. Overall, you're ready to bolster the special teams unit and win another Stanley Cup.
Shake and bake, baby. It's like Karlsson and Smith picked the velociraptor as their favorite dinosaurs.
So, why will Smith's second stint in Las Vegas be as important as his first? Believe it or not, it stems beyond being a special teams star. It also concerns what he does in the middle of the lineup.
Why Reilly Smith's second stint is just as important for the Vegas Golden Knights
Aside from bolstering both ends of the special teams spectrum, Smith is a solid two-way player. He can go up and down both ends of the ice, making plays in all three zones. The Misfit can attribute that to his great skating, where he's able to get involved in every play.
Take the game-winning goal against the Edmonton Oilers as a perfect example. He doesn't quit on the play and catches the Oilers napping. If that goal doesn't happen, well, you're looking at the first time the Golden Knights get swept in franchise history.
That infectious attitude is vital for the middle of the lineup. Having two veterans in Karlsson and Smith can get the team going, especially in tight situations. In fact, both Misfits had a combined three goals and an assist in that game.
You can also rely on Smith's leadership in tight situations. That goes back to when you need someone to step up when the lights are bright. In Game 3, the Oilers were aggressively attacking the Golden Knights at every venture. Smith's two-way play kept Edmonton at bay and can help Vegas in tight situations.
Finally, he just fits perfectly in Bruce Cassidy's system. Overall, he has 265 takeaways with Vegas, making him one of the most important forecheckers around. You can bet his role will be amplified without Alex Pietrangelo and Nicolas Hague playing in Vegas.
Some say that homecooking feeds and recharges the soul. It can lead people to rediscover their love for their respective crafts. That's certainly the case with Smith, who discovered a nostalgia wave upon returning to Las Vegas.
Are you ready for Round 2? It'll feel like you're hopping into a time machine and watching OG Misfit hockey.