Smith scores in OT to give Golden Knights win over Toronto

By Danny Webster

Published Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 | 6:46 p.m.

Updated Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 | 8:48 p.m.

Reilly Smith would probably like to forget his first NHL game. He played 4:05 in a late March evening in Edmonton in 2012. Chances are he'll remember his 700th game much more.

Smith, an Ontario native, scored the game-tying shorthanded goal in the third period, then followed with the game-winner 23 seconds into overtime to give the Golden Knights their eighth straight victory, 4-3 against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday night.

Along with defenseman Alec Martinez, Smith skated in his 700th game but his 335th with the Golden Knights since 2017. Much like the two-way forward has been in the 334 games prior with Vegas, he was reliable once again when his team needed him most.

With the Golden Knights trailing 3-2 and Michael Amadio called for a holding penalty, Vegas went to the penalty kill having just come away with nothing on the power play minutes prior. Brayden McNabb's clearing attempt collided with Toronto forward William Nylander to spring a 2-on-1 with Smith and William Karlsson.

Smith completed the give-and-go with his Misfit linemate and beat Toronto goalie Erik Kallgren to tie it with 8:17 remaining.

"Karly was able to do a great job jumping into the play, beat his guy," Smith said. "Fortunate we were able to capitalize and tie the game."

The Golden Knights were not shy on chances. Even though the shot meter favored Toronto 31-20, Vegas had 11 high-danger chances for the game and put pressure on Toronto's third-string goalie, who made his second straight start in relief of veterans Matt Murray and Ilya Samsonov.

Smith scored twice Saturday in Vegas' 6-4 win in Montreal, ensuring he has the hottest stick on the Golden Knights right now with five goals in three games. Karlsson, who had assists on both of Smith's goals, extended his point streak to four games and has eight points in his last seven.

Smith's second came moments after the opening draw in the extra frame. The Golden Knights were about to reset in the neutral zone when Shea Theodore saw Smith dashing through the center of the ice, splitting the Toronto contingent. He approached Kallgren and went with the backhand short side to give him a team-leading seventh goal on the season.

More importantly, the Golden Knights have the league's longest winning streak this year, and won in Toronto for the first time ever in five appearances, with the winning goal coming from the hometown kid.

"We’re enjoying every minute of it," Smith said. "It’s tough to go on the road for a really long time, but we’re doing a good job of being with each other, having fun and experiencing this tough part of the season."

Logan Thompson made 28 saves to improve to 7-2-0 on the season and win his fifth consecutive start.

Jack Eichel scored late in the first period to extend his point streak to six games, which he will carry Thursday night in his second meeting against his former team, the Buffalo Sabres. Vegas (12-2-0) lost in Eichel's return to Buffalo, 3-1, on March 10.

"It's awesome. It's the tightest team I've ever been a part of," Thompson said. "We're going to keep it rolling."

The Golden Knights have found different ways to win during the course of this winning streak. This was the fourth time they've rallied when trailing in the third period and have posted a winning streak of eight games for the fourth time in team history. They're two away from tying the team record set during the shortened COVID year of 2021.

"Everyone's sticking together," said forward William Carrier, who contributed to another fourth-line goal 45 seconds into the game from Nicolas Roy. "We've got offense coming from all four lines and everyone's trying to play the same way."

Danny Webster can be reached at 702-259-8814 or [email protected]. Follow Danny on Twitter at twitter.com/DannyWebster21.