Givani Smith made a favorable impression in less than three minutes of ice time.
He's seemingly earned himself a spot in the lineup again as the Detroit Red Wings head on the road, delivering a tone-setting shift early in Tuesday's game against the San Jose Sharks.
Smith fought Sharks defenseman Jacob Middleton at 2:30. At 18:16 of the first period, he was tossed by officials after a high hit on Middleton in the corner. That left the Wings shorthanded for five minutes and with a short bench the rest of the game, but coach Jeff Blashill didn't mind.