I almost cannot believe it. We got three solid and complete periods from the Penguins last night, shutting out the then-undefeated Colorado Avalanche 4-0. And who’s the man of the hour for that star performance? None other than Reilly Smith.
Smith was the spark plug this team desperately needed, coming into this game on a three-game losing streak. He lit the lamp twice in the first period alone. The first goal was a solo act, coming in hot at just 4:40 into the game. The second? A picture-perfect setup by Malkin that you’ll want to put in a frame. Smith didn’t just pad his stats; he set the tone for the entire game.
Personally, I’m all in on this Malkin line. The chemistry between Smith and Malkin this early in the season is nothing short of electric. Rickard Rakell hasn’t found his groove yet, but give it time—his moment will come. As a unit, this line has already tallied a combined total of 8 goals, 8 assists, and 16 points. And let’s be real, Smith owns a hefty slice of that statistical pie.
That Malkin-Smith connection is a thing of beauty 😍 pic.twitter.com/vKqxrG5kn0
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 26, 2023
Smith is just seven games into the season, and he’s already firing on all cylinders with a shooting percentage of 21.1%. To put that in perspective, he finished last season with the Stanley Cup champion Las Vegas Knights at 14.4%. Sure, it’s a small sample size, but it’s a promising sign that Smith is fitting in well with the Penguins. In fact, I’d go as far as to say he’s the best-performing addition to the Pens’ roster this season.
If he keeps this up, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him net 25+ goals by season’s end. Smith is shaping up to be a key piece in the Penguins’ Stanley Cup puzzle, and the decision to trade for him by GM Kyle Dubas looks like a brilliant decision.
If Smith’s standout performance against the Avs is a sign of things to come, and the Pens continue to tighten up defensively like they did last night, then buckle up—this season is going to be fun to watch. Make no mistake, Reilly Smith is a name you’ll be hearing a lot more of, and for all the right reasons.
Next Up for the Pens
After a morale-boosting win against the Avalanche, the Penguins are back on home ice to face the Ottawa Senators. The puck drops at 11:00 PM on October 28th at PPG Paints Arena. Both teams are sitting at a 3-4 record, but don’t let that fool you. The Senators are coming off a losing streak and will be hungry for a win.
All stats courtesy of Hockey-Reference.