The Misfit Line of William Karlsson, Jonathan Marchessault, and Reilly Smith was a sacred group of Vegas Golden Knights players. They accounted for a goal and two assists on 52 separate occasions heading into the 2022-23 season, more than any other line.
But that didn't stop Bruce Cassidy from breaking up the cherished line. At the time, it was an unpopular idea considering how well the trio gelled together. But it happened, changing the Golden Knights forever.
So, how did the three Misfits do once the line was broken up? Believe it or not, it unleashed the boys onto the NHL.
Player | Goals | Assists | Power Play Goals | Power Play Assists | Shorthanded Goals | Shorthanded Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
William Karlsson | 14 | 39 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 3 |
Jonathan Marchessault | 28 | 29 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
Reilly Smith | 26 | 30 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
Karlsson set a career-high mark in assists (39) that season. Marchessault scored a career-high nine power play goals in 2022-23, too. Smith scored four shorthanded goals in 2022-23, marking a career-high in that category.
Mind you, Marchessault was one goal short of Karlsson's single-season record the next season. He got a solid deal in 2024, moving to Nashville to open up a country bar with Blake Shelton.
Overall, the breakup brought out the best of the three Misfits in 2022-23. It didn't matter if Marchessault found a spot on the top line alongside Jack Eichel or if Karlsson anchored the third line. The dissolution worked in the regular season. In fact, it led to greater things in the postseason run...
Part of Jonathan Marchessault winning the Conn Smythe Trophy stemmed from that break up
During the 2022-23 Stanley Cup run, Marchessault unleashed a solid playoff performance that led to a Conn Smythe Trophy. In fact, the Misfits had a solid showing altogether.
Player | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|
Jonathan Marchessault | 13 | 12 |
William Karlsson | 11 | 6 |
Reilly Smith | 4 | 10 |
Compare that to 2020-21, where the numbers dwindle significantly.
Player | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|
Jonathan Marchessault | 6 | 3 |
William Karlsson | 4 | 12 |
Reilly Smith | 3 | 7 |
Only Karlsson showed some regression the postseason prior. Smith became a better facilitator and Marchessault found his sniping touch, leading to promises fulfilled.
That breakup also led to positive outcomes for other Golden Knights. Mark Stone scored 11 goals and 13 assists that postseason, while Jack Eichel added six goals and 20 assists. Even Ivan Barbashev got in on the action, scoring seven goals and 11 assists.
What would've happened if Bruce Cassidy didn't break up the Misfit Line?
I'm going to be 100% honest and say it's 60/40 that you win the Stanley Cup here. Remember when Marchessault scored a hat trick in the second period, winning the series against the Edmonton Oilers? I'm willing to bet that Edmonton wins to force a Game 7 because they'd adjust and add more speed to counteract the Misfit Line.
Still, Vegas would've won that series. The only thing is it would've been much harder to win it all. Marchessault had four goals and four assists in that series, en route to a Conn Smythe Trophy. However, Karlsson and Smith were relatively quiet, scoring a combined three goals and three assists.
But that doesn't mean that Cassidy breaking up an iconic line wasn't necessary. For years, the Golden Knights have searched for a head coach who could shake things up in a pinch. Gerard Gallant never did this and Pete DeBoer always made the wrong move.
Having Cassidy shake things up kept his opponents on their toes. If the Stanley Cup champion wasn't around, Vegas would've looked at yet another semifinal exit.