A cold Halloween night in Las Vegas felt more like Christmas, as the Vegas Golden Knights took on the Montreal Canadiens. The cold isn’t the only reason for this Christmas feeling. Three very important presents were signed, sealed, and delivered to the Golden Knights, prior to Thursday evening’s opening faceoff, against our neighbors up north.

Right winger Alex Tuch, number-one defenseman Nate Schmidt, and backup netminder Malcolm Subban all rejoined the team’s lineup on Halloween night. Adding three players of their caliber feels like a Christmas miracle! Excluding a dominating performance in their last game against the Anaheim Ducks, the Golden Knights had been struggling in multiple areas, most of which are greatly impacted by Tuch and Schmidt’s absences. Getting the puck out of their own zone (Schmidt) and having the best forward depth in the NHL (3rd line Tuch) have been missing of late and the return of Tuch and Schmidt couldn’t have come at a better time.

There’s no questioning who the face of the Golden Knights’ defense is. Unparalleled energy and top-end talent are two qualities of Schmidt’s that the team sorely missed. From the second period of their season-opening game against the Sharks, the Golden Knights’ have been forced to play without the heart and soul of their defense. In the opening period of his first game back, Schmidt reminded everyone just how important he is.

With the score tied at one, Schmidt hit a streaking Tuch with a beautiful stretch pass down the left wing, that sprung the latter on a mini-breakaway. Tuch finished the chance, which is far from a guarantee with this club, albeit as a team that generates handfuls of breakaway and odd-man chances on a nightly basis. Tuch’s speed, determination, and nose for the net broke the 1-1 tie, late in the period.

Tuch showed great jump throughout his first game of the season. He played the left side for the first time as a Golden Knight, alongside Cody Eakin and Cody Glass. Surrounding Eakin with two young, speedy wingers may be the best way to jumpstart the center’s season, following his own injury. Since his return, Eakin has not looked like the player Golden Knights fans have grown accustomed to. Adding Tuch, a familiar face, to his line can only help in long run and provide the Golden Knights the forward depth that sets them apart from every other team in the NHL.

Although the return of Tuch and Schmidt was exciting and much needed, not all family reunions go as smoothly as planned. Somebody always burns the barbecue or puts too much vinegar in the coleslaw. It always happens.

While Tuch’s return seemed to go without a hitch, Schmidt’s return was one of highs and lows. With his original defense partner, Brayden McNabb, Schmidt was on the ice for the first four goals of the game, two apiece. He was also the guy who took the tripping penalty that lead right into the Canadiens’ comeback. As Schmidt was exiting the box, the puck was entering the Golden Knights’ net off the former Golden Knight, Tomas Tatar. Schmidt was also on the ice for Brendan Gallagher’s game-tying goal, with goaltender Keith Kinkaid pulled in favor of the extra skater.

While the goals weren’t necessarily Schmidt’s fault, he’d certainly like that penalty back and no defenseman enjoys being on the ice for goals against. He finished the game with a minus-two rating, something you don’t want out of your top defenseman. Jumping back into the lineup as a forward is much easier than returning as a blueliner. Defensemen have a tougher job, in a more mentally demanding position, and at times it was evident that Schmidt was a tad late with his decision-making. He is typically the most decisive defenseman on the Golden Knights and with more time back in the lineup, he will transition right back to his normal self.

A 5-4 overtime loss to a team on the back half of a back-to-back isn’t the return either player wanted. After a game against a fast, talented Arizona Coyotes club, the Montreal Canadiens should have been ripe for the picking. Unfortunately for the Golden Knights, the Canadiens never lost steam and played the fast, high-danger game they have become known for. Earlier this week, the team saw the benefits of an opponent on a back-to-back, dominating the Anaheim Ducks who were on the heels of a game against the speedy Colorado Avalanche.

This dynamic duo will be back in action of Saturday evening as they host the Winnipeg Jets in a 2018 Western Conference Final rematch. The Jets are a team that could either win or lose a blowout game on any given night. They feature a great top line, with multiple dangerous shooters, but their defense has taken a hit, losing Tyler Myers (UFA), Jacob Trouba (trade), and Dustin Byflugien (personal leave) this offseason.

Vegas has the deeper, more stable team, but team defense has been an issue and those holes will need to be addressed. With a full practice and a morning skate before the contest, the Golden Knights’ returning players will be ready to go. Expect Schmidt and Tuch to bounce back as the team leaders they are built to be.

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