Karlsson returns for Golden Knights in Game 1 of Western 2nd Round

LAS VEGAS -- William Karlsson returned for the Vegas Golden Knights against the Anaheim Ducks in Game 1 of the Western Conference Second Round at T-Mobile Arena on Monday.

He hadn’t played since Nov. 8 due to a lower-body injury, but the two-way center could give Vegas a boost of speed and defense to counter high-flying Anaheim.

“I’m very excited,” Karlsson said. “Yeah, I’m ready to go. It’s been a long journey, but now I’m here, so it feels good.”

Asked what he expected from himself in Game 1, Karlsson said a hat trick and six assists or something like that. He was joking. He said he felt like he was starting a new season, and timing could be an issue.

But he said his conditioning should be strong after he practiced with Henderson of the American Hockey League last week, then Vegas on Thursday and Sunday.

“I just want to get into the groove and hopefully play a good game,” Karlsson said. “It’s the playoffs, so there’s no, like, waiting around and easing in. It’s just, you’ve got to get into it.”

The Ducks selected Karlsson in the second round (No. 53) of the 2011 NHL Draft, and he played 18 games for them in 2014-15 to begin his NHL career before he was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 2, 2015.

He played for the Blue Jackets until they left him unprotected in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft, and he was selected by the Golden Knights.

After putting up 50 points (18 goals, 32 assists) in his first 183 games, he had 78 points (43 goals, 35 assists) in 82 games in his first season with Vegas, helping it reach the Stanley Cup Final.

His coach in Columbus from 2015-17? John Tortorella, who replaced Bruce Cassidy as Golden Knights coach March 29.

“I called Bill after we lost him and then he had that great year,” Tortorella said. “I called Bill and said, ‘Did I screw up?’ We had a great conversation. He goes, ‘No. Everything I’m shooting’s going in the net.’”

Karlsson laughed about that conversation.

“Yeah, I do remember it,” he said. “I was back home in Sweden, and he gave me a call. Yeah, long time ago now. But yeah, older now, and hopefully … It was just meant to be, you know? It’s just the way it goes.”

Karlson has become an important part of a team that won the Stanley Cup in 2023 and has won 66 games and 13 series in the playoffs over the past nine years, tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning for the most in each category in that span.

In the regular season, he ranks second in Golden Knights history with 403 points (165 goals, 238 assists) in 569 games, behind forward Jonathan Marchessault, who had 417 points (192 goals, 225 assists) in 514 games from 2017-2024.

In the playoffs, Karlsson ranks fourth in team history with 71 points (31 goals, 40 assists) in 106 games.

He has 29 points (16 goals, 13 assists) in 39 regular-season games against Anaheim.

This was the toughest injury Karlsson has had in his NHL career, but he said he never thought he wouldn’t return this season. The Golden Knights defeated the Utah Mammoth in six games in the first round.

“I always had hope, and I think that’s what kept motivated through it all, so yeah, paid off,” he said. “… I’m super grateful and happy that the boys gave me a chance to come back, and now we’re here, and I’m ready to battle with them.”