LAS VEGAS — If you thought John Tortorella would show up at Sunday morning’s availability to reveal his replacement for the injured William Karlsson, you probably still think the magician saws the assistant in half.

However, when Brayden McNabb was asked about the possibility that it’s Reilly Smith, an original misfit in Vegas alongside Karlsson, his answer seemed to point to his return for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final (Sportsnet, Sportsnet , 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT).

“I’m excited for him,” McNabb said of the 35-year-old forward. “He’s played in a lot of big games, and I expect a big game. He means a lot. Good player, he gets it and has been a great teammate through this run.”

Smith hasn’t played since Game 6 of the team’s first-round series against Utah.

Tortorella's other option is Brandon Saad, who hasn’t played since Game 2 against Colorado.

“He’s an original and had some big plays in this building,” Tortorella said of Smith.

“He’s been a great pro since he sat out. Him and Saader are good players. They’ve done their work as we’ve gone through a long ride here. We’ll see where it goes tonight.”

Because they’ve both seen plenty of action in big playoff games over the years, the coach is convinced the moment won’t be too big for either veteran.

“I’m sure the intensity and with the crowd and all that it will be different, but they’ve practised at a high level. They’ll be ready to play," Tortorella said.

Mitch Marner and Tomas Hertl will likely share duties up the middle on the second line to which Karlsson was so integral, while Smith or Saad will likely play wing in the bottom six.

Rod Brind’Amour keeps the boys guessing with what he’ll say next. 

But the coach’s pre-game speeches seldom fail to jack ’em up like the man’s own biceps.

“Every pre-game speech, you think it is going to be the same, but it’s always something different,” Shayne Gostisbehere said. “It’s not the........

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