Carrier relishes game vs. former squad
Vegas forward feels more excitement in taking on Sabres
Golden Knights forward William Carrier was eager to renew acquaintances with his former team Tuesday at T-mobile Arena.
Carrier, who was selected from Buffalo in the NHL expansion draft, made an impact despite not scoring in the Knights’ 5-4 overtime victory.
Carrier drew a slashing penalty in the second period that led to Reilly Smith’s power-play goal, and he nearly scored on a breakaway 20 seconds later against his old mates only to be foiled by the left leg pad of Sabres goalie Chad Johnson.
“It’s going to be a little more exciting than a normal game,” Carrier said after Tuesday’s morning skate at City National Arena. “I didn’t get to see the guys (Monday), but I’m sure I’ll be chirping at them a little during the game.”
Carrier was a second-round pick of St. Louis in the 2013 draft but was traded to Buffalo in 2014 as part of the megadeal that sent goalie Ryan Miller to the Blues.
Carrier had five goals, three assists and 21 penalty minutes in 41 games with Buffalo last season.
Knights defenseman Brayden Mcnabb, who was drafted by the Sabres in 2009 and played two seasons with Buffalo before being traded to the Los Angeles Kings in 2014, was not in the lineup.
Knights coach Gerard Gallant said he hasn’t noticed anything out of the ordinary when Knights players face their former team.
“Every night we play, that situation is going to arise for us. We don’t worry about that,” he said. “It’s all good. The guys are all happy to be here, so when they play their (former) teams, it’s just about happy to win, happy to play hard and compete hard against that team.”
Elite Eichel
Gallant was effusive in his praise of Buffalo’s third-year center Jack Eichel, who signed an eight-year, $80 million contract extension before the start of the season.
Gallant was an assistant coach for Team North America during the World Cup of Hockey 2016 and worked closely with Eichel, the No. 2 pick in the 2015 draft.
“His skill level and talent level is unbelievable,” Gallant said. “He’s a great player, and he’s going to be a guy who’s going to be a dangerous player for a lot of years.”
Elite company
Vadim Shipachyov put his name in the record book with his goal Sunday against Boston.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Knights center is the second player since the 1967-68 season to score the game-winner in his NHL debut with a first-year expansion team.
He joins Hall of Famer Gilbert Perreault, who scored in Buffalo’s inaugural game Oct. 10, 1970, a 2-1 victory over Pittsburgh.
If it ain’t broke …
The Knights made no changes from the lineup that defeated Boston on Sunday, with defensemen Jason Garrison, Mcnabb and Griffin Reinhart listed as scratches against the Sabres.
Reinhart is the only skater on the 23-man roster yet to play for the Knights during the regular season and missed the chance to face his younger brother Sam, a 21-year-old center for the Sabres.
Contact Steve Carp at scarp@ reviewjournal or 702-387-2913. Follow @stevecarprj on Twitter. Contact David Schoen at dschoen@ reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow @Davidschoenlvrj on Twitter.