LAS VEGAS — For a change, the Vegas Golden Knights weren’t late getting to their game.

Perhaps the return of defenseman Noah Hanifin helped the Knights start on time. Or maybe the fact Tuesday’s opponent, the Detroit Red Wings, were a more formidable foe than they had been in recent years, forcing the Knights to elevate their game from puck drop all the way through.

Whatever it was, it worked.

With Akira Schmid performing stoutly in goal, the defense in front of him playing well and enough offense to get by, the Knights, behind Ivan Barbashev’s second-period goal, bested Detroit 1-0 at T-Mobile Arena and returned to the top of the Pacific Division with 17 points. Vegas and Anaheim are tied for the division lead and the Ducks come to T-Mobile on Saturday.

The big news was the return of Hanifin, the veteran defenseman who was injured in the first period of the season opener back on Oct. 8 and hasn’t played since due to a lower-body injury.

Not only did Hanifin not appear to show much rust in his game, he appeared to be moving well and coach Bruce Cassidy didn’t baby his minutes. Hanifin wound up playing 21:52 Tuesday night and if he was bit winded afterward, who could blame him?

“It was good,” Hanifin said. “It was nice to be back in the lineup with the guys. It’s tough watching and not being part of it.

“I tried to keep it simple early, get my feet under me and the team had a good game tonight.”

Cassidy said he could see the difference in his team with Hanifin on the ice.

“He was excited to play and it showed,” he said. “He made us better. We’re grateful to have him back.

The Knights also welcomed back Colton Sissons to the lineup after the center had missed the previous two games. They’re still without Mark Stone and Adin Hill. But with Schmid continuing to play well and Carl Lindbom not looking out of place in an NHL game, the Knights seem to be getting by without Hill, their $6.25 million-a-year goaltender. Don’t forget, Carter Hart will be eligible to play in a little over three weeks.

“You just try and go out there and play your game,” Schmid said after he recorded his first shutout as a Golden Knight and improved to 6-1. “Tight games like that, it’s always fun as a goalie. I think emotions are a little higher, there’s more pressure than in other games.”

Schmid said having Hanifin in front of him didn’t hurt.

“He helps out a lot,” Schmid said. “He’s a great player. Having him out there helps your confidence a lot. He has a lot of poise and he sees the ice really well.”

But in stopping all 24 shots he faced and out dueling veteran John Gibson, Schmid saw how a game like Tuesday’s can help his confidence and that of his teammates.

“He’s been very good,” Cassidy said of Schmid. He gives us a chance to win whenever he’s in there.

“I though both goalies did a real good job. Our guy was one shot better.”