3 takeaways from Knights’ win: Schmid stands tall against Red Wings

Akira Schmid was asked how he would describe a low-scoring goalie duel in which he came away with the win.

“Fun,” he said.

This season has been fun for the Golden Knights goaltender because of how much he’s won. That continued Tuesday with a 24-save shutout, the second of his career, in a 1-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings at T-Mobile Arena on Tuesday.

“Tight games like that are always fun as a goalie,” Schmid said. “I think emotions are a little high, too. Maybe a little more pressure than other games if you’re up 3-1, 4-1.”

Schmid, pushed into the No. 1 role with Adin Hill week to week with a lower-body injury, improved to 6-1-0 this season.

It was Schmid’s first shutout since Feb. 25, 2023, when he stopped all 23 shots he faced against the Philadelphia Flyers as a member of the New Jersey Devils.

Left wing Ivan Barbashev scored the Knights’ lone goal in Tuesday’s win. The team bounced back after losing 4-2 to the Colorado Avalanche on Friday.

Goaltender John Gibson made 32 saves for the Red Wings (9-5-0), who lost for the second time in six games.

“I thought both goalies did a really good job,” coach Bruce Cassidy said. “Ours was one shot better.”

Gibson, 32, entered Tuesday’s game 6-18-5 all-time against the Knights (7-2-3).

The longtime Anaheim Duck was traded to the Red Wings in June, but his luck at T-Mobile Arena was no better in a different sweater.

The Knights peppered Gibson from all angles Tuesday. His rebound control was tested from the start.

Barbashev broke through with 6:15 remaining in the second period, pouncing on a rebound from a slot shot from left wing Brandon Saad.

Schmid didn’t see as much traffic as Gibson. Shots were 23-14 in favor of the Knights through two periods and 33-24 for the game.

Still, he was solid in his first start in a week.

“For me, it’s try to focus on the next shot,” Schmid said. “It’s always fun to see (an opposing) goalie play well, too.”

The Knights almost extended their lead to 2-0 in the third period. Defenseman Jeremy Lauzon shot the puck into the net, but the goal was wiped off the board upon review because left wing Brett Howden was offside.

The Knights still got a win in the second game of their six-game homestand, which continues Thursday with a rematch with the Tampa Bay Lightning. They lost 2-1 in overtime to the Lightning on the road Oct. 26 in goaltender Carl Lindbom’s NHL debut.

“(Schmid has) generally given us a chance to win every time he’s in there and tonight was no different,” Cassidy said.

Here are three takeaways from the win:

1. Hanifin’s impact

Defenseman Noah Hanifin returned to the lineup after missing 10 games with a lower-body injury, the longest absence of his NHL career. Hanifin played 21:52 in the victory.

“It was good. It was nice to be back in the lineup with the guys,” Hanifin said. “It’s tough watching and not being a part of it. Just tried to keep it simple and get my feet under me.”

Hanifin finished with seven shot attempts, three of them on goal. His speed and quickness coming out of the Knights’ zone were missed in his absence.

“I think whenever you’re out for a long period of time like that, you take that opportunity to work on certain things and make sure you’re in shape and ready to go when you come back,” Hanifin said. “It’s weird being out the first month of the season and not get into a flow after camp. I felt good tonight and just kept building the game.”

Center Colton Sissons also returned after missing two games with an undisclosed injury. Sissons played 8:32.

2. Finding a spark

Offense was hard to come by for the Knights. They had only one abbreviated power play that lasted 55 seconds.

Cassidy tinkered with the forward lines to find some extra juice.

Howden, who filled in at fourth-line center when Sissons was hurt, moved up to the top line with Barbashev and center Jack Eichel to start the game. He was moved to center William Karlsson’s line with Saad halfway through, while right wing Reilly Smith was elevated to the first line.

“Some of the guys offensively, it hasn’t happened yet,” Cassidy said.

Saad had a team-high six shots on goal in the win. His assist was his second point of the season.

“He was really engaged tonight,” Cassidy said.

Saad’s assist wasn’t even with a set line. The Knights were in the middle of a change in the offensive zone when the puck landed on Saad’s stick before Barbashev’s goal.

“I think I’m finding the middle of the ice a little bit more,” Saad said.

3. Schmid still on borrowed time

Schmid is one of eight NHL goalies with at least six wins. His .908 save percentage and 2.31 goals-against average are also respectable.

But it remains to be seen what his future holds.

Lindbom, the 22-year-old prospect, played well in his first two NHL starts. Carter Hart, who the Knights signed to a two-year deal Oct. 24, is eligible to play Dec. 1.

The goalie room is crowded even with Hill injured.

“You’re aware of it, but you just got to go out there and play,” Schmid said. “At the end of the day, you want to help the team win no matter the situation.”

Contact Danny Webster at dwebster@reviewjournal.com. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.