Growing up (long before I even thought about the Vegas Golden Knights existing), I was attached to three different things: Disney movies, Nintendo games, and NHL hockey. You already know this by now, but I was a Detroit Red Wings fan, watching the team dominate the 1990s and 2000s.
That made life much simpler, for you didn't have to worry about taxes or bills. On top of that, you had your imagination. Which Pokémon teams could you conjure up to take over the competitive world? Who were you pulling for to play for your favorite NHL team?
For Golden Knights fans, Reilly Smith and William Karlsson provided a sense of nostalgia. They've been the OG Golden Knights since "Day F****** One," leading Vegas to two Stanley Cup Finals and winning a title.
Overall, they've made an impressive impact on the franchise, putting up solid numbers. How important were they to the expansion team's success?
Player | Goals | Assists | Plus/Minus | Power Play Goals | Short-Handed Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reilly Smith | 127 | 170 | 97 | 28 | 12 |
William Karlsson | 161 | 235 | 129 | 28 | 14 |
That's the power of "Day One" players for you. They've provided remarkable depth on even strength and special teams. After all, who doesn't love a good "power kill?" It's Golden Knights canon among other items, such as the flamingo and "John Wick Mode."
The "Golden Misfits," Reilly Smith and William Karlsson, are reminding Golden Knights fans of the glory days
Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers was a perfect reminder of the "Misfits'" importance. William Karlsson had a goal and an assist while Reilly Smith scored two goals, including the game-winning buzzer-beater.
On top of that, they've led a penalty kill that's limited the Oilers to scoring one goal on seven power play tries. It's part of the momentum-shifting play that's vital to keeping the Vegas Golden Knights alive.
When you don't have other units firing on all cylinders, it's essential to have the old guard step in. That's especially true when facing tough competition such as the Edmonton Oilers and Minnesota Wild. How important have the "Misfits" been during the Stanley Cup playoffs (stats courtesy of MoneyPuck)?
Player | Goals | Assists | Primary Assists | Secondary Assists | Expected Goals | Goals Above Expected | Shooting Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reilly Smith | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 23.1% |
William Karlsson | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 20% |
For all the grief Karlsson and Smith get from certain fans and critics, the Golden Knights would've been eliminated without the two "Misfits." The penalty kill doesn't get reinvented into a scoring threat. Jack Eichel doesn't erupt into a distributing force and remains stagnant during the postseason.
Karlsson and Smith aren't the only "Misfits" fueling the Golden Knights
Brayden McNabb's presence has also been a boon for the Vegas Golden Knights. He set up the game-winning goal in Game 3, finding William Karlsson down the ice. There's also Shea Theodore, who has two (yes, you read that right!) power play goals during the Stanley Cup playoffs.
In fact, a deeper dive into their stats shows that Theodore and McNabb have buoyed the Golden Knights during their playoff run. Here's some love for the "Misfit" defensemen, courtesy of MoneyPuck.
Player | Goals | Assists | Primary Assists | Secondary Assists | Expected Goals | Shots Blocked | Hits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shea Theodore | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2.1 | 16 | 0 |
Brayden McNabb | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0.2 | 23 | 26 |
Shea Theodore has contributed alongside Reilly Smith and William Karlsson on the offensive end. McNabb has done a solid job acting as a pure defenseman, clogging lanes and using his body at will. Both players are as crucial to the playoff equation as the "Misfit" forwards are.
If the Golden Knights move past the Edmonton Oilers in the second round, it'll be because the "Golden Misfits" are taking over the series. Sure, Corey Perry is being an uber pest and there's the looming threat of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. However, the "Misfits" are turning in a classic performance that can lead to greater things... Including another Stanley Cup. Now that would make for some great lore.