John Tortorella wouldn't confirm it Sunday morning. But Brayden McNabb didn't leave much room for doubt ahead of tonight's elimination Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final.
"I'm excited for him," McNabb said when asked what Reilly Smith would bring to the lineup. "I expect a big game."
Smith hasn't dressed since Game 6 of Vegas's first-round series against Utah. That's a long time to sit and wait for a moment this big.
Tortorella's other option is Brandon Saad, who also hasn't played since Game 2 against Colorado. Two veterans on ice time they haven't seen in weeks, with a season on the line.
The coach didn't rule either man out. "Him and Saader are good players," Tortorella said. "They've done their work as we've gone through a long ride here. We'll see where it goes tonight."
Hurricanes have gone 3-0 in closeout games, now face Vegas at home
Carolina has been automatic when it had the chance to close a series. Three tries, three wins. Vegas at T-Mobile Arena is a different kind of test.
The Hurricanes come in leading the series 3-2, and Nikolaj Ehlers has been the most dangerous forward on the ice in this Final. He's posted 7 goals and 10 assists in 17 playoff games, with 8 points in his last 5.
Jordan Staal isn't far behind. The captain has 8 goals and 4 assists across 18 playoff games, including a goal in each of his last 5. At 37, he's playing like a man who knows this window doesn't stay open forever.
The Golden Knights, meanwhile, lost William Karlsson to injury and now have to shuffle their lines around a gap nobody fills cleanly. Mitch Marner and Tomas Hertl will likely share duties up the middle where Karlsson was so central, while Smith or Saad slots into the bottom six.
That's not a comforting situation when you're 60 minutes from ending your season.
Rod Brind'Amour pointed to the distractions that come with a potential closeout game. Family in town, tickets to manage, the weight of the moment. He's positioned the extra day off as a benefit for Carolina, not a disruption.
"We'll be all dialled in come game time," he said. "You're playing a team that knows how to win and has done it."
McNabb's comment about Smith lit up social media within hours. Chris Gawlik of The Daily noted it felt like an accidental lineup leak.
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Marner's message heading into the building tonight was simple. Attack early. Don't sit back. Carolina wants to set the tone first, and Vegas can't afford to let them.
The Golden Knights have the locker room confidence. Cole Smith said there's nobody in there doubting what they can do tonight. Talk is easy when your back is against the wall. The execution is the only thing that settles it.
Whether it's Reilly Smith or Brandon Saad who draws in, Vegas needs a game from someone who hasn't played in weeks. In a Cup Final, asking a cold player to be the answer is a gamble that doesn't always pay out.
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Can the Golden Knights force a Game 7 without William Karlsson in the lineup?
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