Ken Hitchcock was looking for a shake-up.
Gemel Smith was just looking for an opportunity.
As Hitchcock juggled his lines, moving Jamie Benn into a center spot, he needed a nice complement to Benn and Alexander Radulov. Smith fit the bill. The 23-year-old who was playing in just his 24th NHL game stepped onto the Benn line and scored his first goal of the season Friday.
"It's been good [practicing with them]. They both play at a high tempo," Smith said after two days of workouts on his new line.
"They are both great talents, and it's definitely exciting and a great opportunity for me.