Golden Knights top line had chemistry right from the start

CHICAGO -- Vegas Golden Knights forward Jonathan Marchessault doesn't remember any major breaking-in period with linemates William Karlsson and Reilly Smith, no difficulty finding their rhythm or to finding each other on the ice.
"The first couple of games it just clicked," Marchessault said. "It's been a real treat playing with those guys, for sure."

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The Golden Knights top line has performed much like the team overall. It's been a consistent line, one that is riding a wave of confidence and productivity. All of that was evident at United Center on Friday in a 5-4 win against the Chicago Blackhawks. Marchessault, Karlsson and Smith combined for seven points (three goals, four assists), including a goal for each. Smith's breakaway 13:53 into the third period broke a 4-4 tie.
The Golden Knights have gone 13-1-1 since Dec. 3, with Marchessault, Karlsson and Smith combining for 19 goals and 24 assists.
"[Smith] and [Karlsson] have been the most consistent all year," Marchessault said. "They play well defensively, they play top everything, first penalty kill, first power play, first line. You can't ask for two better guys like those guys to get rewarded tonight. We played a good game overall, not only in stats but defensively, too. There's a lot of positives for us."

Smith said, "I think we're pretty interchangeable. We all look for each other, we're good passers and none of us is scared to shoot. The great thing is, when your line's doing well you have more confidence and you can play with a little more creativity. That's what we're doing right now, and it's working well."
Yes, there have been plenty of positives for the Golden Knights, especially on offense. They aren't lacking for threats right now. Their speed and balanced lineup has given opponents fits and the Blackhawks were the latest to see the scoring firepower this team has.
As coach Gerard Gallant said, the Golden Knights "probably could've scored more goals than the five we had." But Marchessault, Karlsson and Smith were especially potent, with most of their handiwork coming against the Blackhawks top line of Brandon Saad, Jonathan Toews and Vinnie Hinostroza.
"Honestly, we play every night against the best line on the ice and we want to take care of our D-zone first. When we do that, that's when we're the most successful," Marchessault said. "The way we play the game, we play a fast game and we find each other easily on the ice."
The three didn't have to work much on off-ice chemistry, either. The Golden Knights are one big, happy family, according to Marchessault. There are no cliques, no factions. Even the competition between players is healthy.
"We push each other to be better every day. We don't have any superstars except for [goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury]. We know we have to work to win some hockey games. The only way we're going to win is to do that."
There hasn't been some magic formula with the Golden Knights this season. There wasn't some gut feeling or hunch that convinced Gallant to throw Marchessault, Karlsson and Smith together, other than to see if they could find a productive combination. Like everything else with Vegas to this point, it's been a successful find.
"They like each other, they have fun with each other, and obviously they're scoring a lot of points and goals," Gallant said. "It's a sense, but whatever the reason [it works] I don't know. You put a line together, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. This one's working so far."