Karlsson sustained an injury during the preseason and was on the shelf recovering until the Golden Knights faced the hapless San Jose Sharks at T-Mobile arena Saturday night. Even with Karlsson sliding down to the third line with Tanner Pearson and Alexander Holtz, he was still a very effective offensive contributor.
Karlsson's contribution was pivotal
Karlsson had a nifty shorthanded goal in the middle stanza to put his team up 4-1. His speed and good hockey sense paid off as he beat the Sharks goalie Vitek Vanecek to a loose puck and showed great patience in waiting for an open shot.
WE DON'T CALL HIM WILD BILL 4 NOTHIN' 🤠🤠🤠🤠 pic.twitter.com/syqoEzdkST
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) October 27, 2024
The goal was crucial in the game, although the Golden Knights never trailed with three unanswered goals in the first period alone. The Sharks had no comeback for the Vegas offensive display in this game. The Sharks have yet to have much success this season, with a dismal 0-7-2 record (two points), which is the worst in the NHL thus far.
The new line for Karlsson shows some promise
Karlsson needed no more time to blend well with his new linemates. At the 1:57 mark of the initial period, he had a beauty of a pass to Pearson, who slapped it home to give the home team the lead. It shows his on-ice awareness and skill to get a pass into the wheelhouse of Pearson.
However, Karlsson's goal topped off a very entertaining night for the Vegas squad. When he returned, it was a concern that head coach Bruce Cassidy would break up his top line or find another spot for him. As it turned out, the crafty center, who has collected 171 goals in 686 games, came through as expected.
It certainly gave the Golden Knights the boost they needed. They have shown themselves to be an excellent team on home ice this season, having yet to lose at T-Mobile Arena. They have dominated the scoring at home with 34 goals scored while only relinquishing 16.
Having Karlsson back can only help Vegas going forward
Karlsson's excellent play against the Sharks displays that having him back can only improve the Vegas Golden Knights as the season progresses. He adds an element to the forward lines that make the team that much stronger, especially at home.
It is with a sigh of relief that Karlsson's injury wasn't more severe. Losing him for eight games was bad enough. The entire team seems to get pumped up whenever a star player returns. We will wait to see if that continues, as the Golden Knights must face the Calgary Flames, Los Angeles Kings, and the Utah Hockey Club in their next three games. Two of those three games will be on home ice where the Vegas squad has been unbeaten.
Karlsson is still signed through the 2026-27 season at a reasonable $5.9 million. After being drafted by the Golden Knights in 2017 in the expansion draft, he has scored 171 goals with 237 assists in 503 games.
Undoubtedly, the Golden Knights missed his participation while he was out injured. Let's hope his mystery injury doesn't return anytime soon. He is an integral part of the offense and has shown his presence gives the team that extra punch which is needed to get two points in a game.