William Karlsson back in Golden Knights’ lineup for Game 1
LAS VEGAS — (*1*) heart William Karlsson returned for Game 1 of the workforce’s second-round playoff sequence towards the Anaheim Ducks on Monday night time after lacking almost six months with a lower-body harm.
“He doesn’t speak a lot, just plays the game the right way,” Golden Knights coach John Tortorella stated following an non-obligatory observe that morning. “Looking forward to getting him back in the lineup.”
Karlsson was harm in the primary interval of Vegas’ 4-3 extra time loss towards the Ducks on Nov. 8.
“It’s been a long journey, but now I’m here,” Karlsson stated. “It feels good.”
Karlsson had 4 objectives and three assists early in the season earlier than the harm. He had back-to-back 50-point seasons, however completed with solely 29 in 53 video games final season, when he was sidelined twice due to accidents.
The Golden Knights held out the likelihood that Karlsson, who has been a wonderful two-way participant, would return in some unspecified time in the future even when he went deep in the playoffs. The group by no means positioned him on long-term injured reserve.
“I always had the goal in the back of my head that I wanted to return,” Karlsson stated. “I always believed, so that kind of kept me going.”
He was requested what his expectations had been of his first recreation back.
“A hatty and six assists,” Karlsson stated jokingly. “I’m going to keep the expectations low.”
Speculation of his return intensified when Karlsson returned to observe final week in Salt Lake City when the Golden Knights had been enjoying the Utah Mammoth in their first-round sequence. He additionally practiced with the membership’s American Hockey League affiliate in the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson.
Karlsson stated getting his timing back might be a difficulty, however he thought “conditioning should be there. Get the chemistry going with the team again.”
Defenseman Jeremy Lauzonwho took a puck to his helmet in Friday’s 5-1 series-clinching victory at Utah, didn’t play Monday.
