Vegas Golden Knights forward William Karlsson will play for the first time since Nov. 8 when he suits up for Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinal series against the Anaheim Ducks on Monday.
Karlsson, 33, saw his 12th NHL season cut short when he suffered a lower-body injury in a game against the Ducks. But after sitting out the rest of the regular season and the Golden Knights’ first-round playoff victory over the Utah Mammoth, he’s able to return to aid the team’s Stanley Cup quest.
“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.”
Karlsson went through practice with AHL affiliate Henderson last week and with the Golden Knights on Thursday and Saturday.
“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.”
Karlsson had four goals and three assists in 14 games before his injury.
Originally an Anaheim draft pick who played 18 games for the organization, Karlsson joins defenseman Brayden McNabb as the only remaining members of the Golden Knights’ expansion draft team from 2017-18, when they reached the Stanley Cup Final.
In nine seasons (569 games) for Vegas, Karlsson has amassed 403 points (165 goals, 238 assists). He has added 71 points (31 goals, 40 assists) in 106 playoff appearances for the Golden Knights.
