Plus/minus indicates a player whenever they're on the ice. It shows their offensive acumen and teammate's production, whether scoring a goal or contributing with an assist. It might seem like a meaningless stat in today's hockey landscape, given that a person could be on the ice for 50 goals while doing nothing. After all, power play goals don't count toward the total.
However, it holds some merit. Coaches use this statistic to detect trends to adjust their lineup accordingly. That way, they can prepare for the next matchup and have an advantage. Players look at this stat to see who they're effective with line-wise. Do they work well with this linemate? Does this teammate not work with me? These are vital questions asked during the season.
A particular Golden Knight specialized in this statistic for one season. They had a record-breaking season in the team's inaugural campaign, helping them reach the Stanley Cup Final. Who is this mysterious man who impacted the team positively? Was it the "Original Misfit," William Karlsson? Could it be the former Conn Smythe winner (and monopoly man of various franchise records), Jonathan Marchessault? Here's the plus/minus king for the Golden Knights.
William Karlsson had the best plus/minus for the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017-18
In an overwhelming dominance, William Karlsson holds the single-season record for plus/minus in Vegas Golden Knights history. The "Original Misfit" had a record-breaking year in 2017-18, setting the tone for the franchise. How? He scored a franchise-record 43 goals and 78 points (most in Golden Knights history). That resulted in a plus/minus of 49, setting the standard for the team moving forward.
In a distant second was Jonathan Marchessault with 36 that same year. Here, he scored 27 goals and 48 assists (75 points), helping the team get to the Stanley Cup Final with Karlsson. In fact, the top three came from the inaugural season, with Reilly Smith holding the third spot with 31. Surprisingly, Alec Martinez finished fourth at 30 in 2022-23, when the Golden Knights won their first championship. Coming in fifth place was Shea Theodore with 28 in 2020-21.
It's clear the "Original Misfits" meshed well together, creating an endless supply of hockey magic. They complimented each other's styles, turning the Golden Knights into a full-blown force. While Karlsson's the only "Misfit" remaining, he's still an essential part of Vegas's game plans. That's especially true in the upcoming hockey campaign, where his services will be needed.