The Vegas Golden Knights celebrate after defeating the Dallas Stars, 4-3, during overtime of Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup Western Conference Final at T-Mobile Arena Friday, May 19, 2023, in Las Vegas.
Published Friday, May 19, 2023 | 8:34 p.m.
Updated Saturday, May 20, 2023 | 10:12 a.m.
They’re not highlight-reel goals. They’re not between-the-legs, internet-breaking goals that defined William Karlsson in the inaugural season.
But they are goals. Important goals. Ones that remind a contingent of people who may have forgotten over the last few years that the Vegas Golden Knights’ center is still capable of being a game changer at both ends of the ice.
Now with a team-high seven goals this postseason, including two in the Golden Knights’ 4-3 overtime win in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final over the Dallas Stars on Friday, Karlsson has found that goal-scoring touch that has evaded him for years.
“It’s a great time of the year,” Karlsson said. “You want to be one of the guys to contribute. It’s when it matters the most.”
It’s been more than five years since Karlsson scored twice in a playoff game. You’d have to rewind to Game 2 of the second-round series against the San Jose Sharks on April 28, 2018 to find the evidence of that.
That game was a microcosm of Karlsson at his apex in the Golden Knights' first year. Wherever and whenever Karlsson shot the puck, it was expected to go in with no problem.
The goal totals have died down since that 43-goal campaign in 2018. He hasn’t hit 20 goals since scoring 24 in 2019, and the points dipped below 50 in the last three seasons. Karlsson rebounded with 53 points this season but had just 14 goals and a career-high 39 assists.
Karlsson as a goal scorer is a difference maker. Which is why the Golden Knights are 5-1 this postseason when Karlsson scores.
“I’ve been feeling good,” Karlsson said. “The puck is bouncing my way. I don’t know if I can pinpoint it, but I just have a good feeling going out in the games.”
More importantly, on a night where it didn’t seem like anyone was going to get a shot past Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger, Karlsson’s goals helped the cause.
His first goal at 9:17 of the second period tied it 1-1 in a culmination of a dominant start to the game for the Golden Knights. Defenseman Zach Whitecloud’s point shot caromed off the boards behind the net, the puck found Karlsson on the weak side and he found an open net.
The second goal was more Karlsson’s speed as he gathered the loose puck in the slot, waited patiently for enough space to fire it, and beat Oettinger glove side for the 2-1 lead 1:19 into the third.
“I was just backing up, trying to play it safe,” Karlsson said. “There was a chance for me to grab the puck. It’s hard to explain, but I try to be in the right place, and it pays off sometimes.”
That’s when the dam broke for the Golden Knights against the 24-year-old Oettinger considered one of the best young goalies in the league, and held them to less than a goal per game in three starts during the regular season. Even after Dallas’ Roope Hintz tied it 2-2 less than three minutes later, Teddy Blueger — making his third straight playoff appearance — scored his first of the postseason to restore the lead.
Dallas captain Jamie Benn scored the tying goal with 1:59 remaining in regulation when Oettinger was pulled for the extra attacker.
And yet, it was Brett Howden, who hadn’t scored since his two-goal game in Game 4 against the Winnipeg Jets in the opening round, banking it off Oettinger below the goal line to gave the Golden Knights a 1-0 lead in the best-of-7 series.
Coach Bruce Cassidy normally starts his fourth line against the opposition’s top line, a sign of faith to the depth that has gotten the Golden Knights closer to the Stanley Cup Final. Cassidy chose to start Karlsson’s line with Reilly Smith and Nicolas Roy against Dallas’ top line of Jason Robertson, Hintz and Joe Pavelski.
Karlsson’s line was on the ice for one goal — Robertson’s tally late in the first period — but had an 18-8 edge in shot attempts while the three played together at 5-on-5. Much like how Karlsson neutralized the Edmonton Oilers' star duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl (neither scored a goal against Karlsson at 5-on-5 the entire series), the Stars had just seven shot attempts when Robertson was on the ice against Karlsson and gave up 16.
Hintz, who had three points Friday and now has a league-high 22 in this postseason, was on the ice for six shot attempts against Karlsson and allowed 13.
It’s not just that Karlsson has been effective in shutting down the opposition’s best players. The offense has followed suit. Karlsson has 10 points this postseason, now the fifth Golden Knights skater to reach that mark. He’s slowly creeping into the Conn Smythe discussion for MVP of the playoffs.
“Some of the ice he covers, the little things you don’t see in terms of reloads, back checks, stick position, winning board battles, it’s a lot of little things that blend into his game,” Cassidy said. “Can’t say enough good things about him. You need guys like that this time of year.”
Karlsson has been the one beneficiary since Cassidy’s arrival in Vegas. Since the beginning of the season, Cassidy has called Karlsson one of the most cerebral players he’s ever coached. Defensively, that’s never been an issue.
On offense, it’s been a long time since Karlsson has been this good. While he may not have been the game-winning hero Friday, he was an important reason why the Golden Knights are three wins from returning to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since that 2018 run.
Perhaps it is deja vu.
“I’m feeling good,” Karlsson said. “When I come to the rink, it’s all business.”
Game 2 is Sunday at T-Mobile Arena (noon, ABC).
Danny Webster can be reached at 702-259-8814 or [email protected]. Follow Danny on Twitter at twitter.com/DannyWebster21.
