Vegas Golden Knights fans have waited for months to hear the news. They were hoping for something regarding William Karlsson and whether he'd play at all this season. Well, ask and you shall receive, because Karlsson is in the lineup for the Golden Knights.
Head Coach Tortorella confirms that William Karlsson will return to the lineup tonight in Game 1 against Anaheim.
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) May 4, 2026
In case you're unfamiliar with the lore, Karlsson has been out since November 8 against... the Anaheim Ducks. The Original Misfit sustained a lower-body injury that kept him out of commission for months, leaving a massive void on the lower lines.
This regular season, the Swedish center scored four goals and three assists in 14 games, providing an offensive spark in a short period. Karlsson also has some noteworthy accolades during his Vegas residency, including setting the single-season franchise record for the most goals (43 in 2017-18).
The news comes at the perfect time for the Golden Knights, considering they're playing a young, spry Ducks team. Anaheim won all three regular season games against the Golden Knights, but with one having a catch. Only one game was won in regulation, giving Golden Knights fans some confidence.
Karlsson's injury update will provide more confidence for Las Vegas heading into Game 1. He's a special teams superstar who functions well on both units, creating the infamous "power kill" with fellow Misfit, Reilly Smith. He's also great at defending the league's best players, whether it's Nathan Mackinnon or Kirill Kaprizov.
The Golden Knights are getting healthy at the right time and that's excellent news. Vegas has dealt with a wave of debilitating injuries throughout 2025-26, leaving them shorthanded. But now, the Golden Knights will have most of their key players back, putting them in a more admirable situation.
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