Knights close to another record with win over Habs at home

The Golden Knights won their 22nd game on Vegas home ice Saturday, 6-3, over the Montreal Canadiens.

In a season filled with firsts and bests ever, this was another tying record for expansion franchises.

“I thought the first period was a fast game for both teams. We really played well in the second and took the game over. I thought we were in control of the game for most of the night,” Vegas head coach Gerard Gallant said.

Reilly Smith struck for two goals in the win as the Knights toyed with a Canadiens squad ill prepared for the match.

“We like to take that advantage,” Smith said. “Our fans are great and we feed off them.”

Marc-Andre Fleury made 30 saves to pick up the win as the Knights improved to 39-15-4.

“We didn’t want to play an up-and-down style [in the first period]. I don’t think we played a tight game overall,” Smith said. “Just a little bit too loose. We’ve got to work on a couple of things.”

Ryan Carpenter, Nate Schmidt, Brad Hunt, and Tomas Nosek also scored for Vegas.

“I think it was probably the most complete [team effort] on both sides,” Schmidt said. “I was really happy how we moved the puck as a defensive corps.”

Charles Hudon, Nikita Scherbak and Jonathan Drouin scor

“It’s always tough when you lose,” Scherbak said. “We’re trying to stick together. We have a great group of guys here, everybody supports each other, and nobody is happy to lose.”

[WATCH: All Canadiens vs. Golden Knights highlights]

Antti Niemi got the start for the Habs but did not last 10 minutes before getting the hook on three goals and three saves.

Carey Price made 25 saves through the final 40 minutes of the game.

“The second period was definitely very bad from us and we played a lot in our own end, but I thought — you know, I know the score after the first — but I thought for the most part we were battling and creating chances in the first and third,” Max Pacioretty said after the loss. “We play with pride, so it is frustrating, and I think at this point in this position everyone should be selfish right now and kind of worry about your own game and play the best you can because we’re trying to play with pride right now.”