Karlsson, 32, additionally missed the primary eight common season video games with an undisclosed damage. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet wrote Thursday that there’s been a lingering damage bothering Karlsson that would forestall him from suiting up for Sweden in subsequent month’s 4 Nations Face-Off, so it stands to motive the 2 are associated.
One among three gamers remaining on Vegas’ roster from their inaugural season, Karlsson has operated because the Knights’ third-line heart when wholesome in 2024-25. With the discount in position has come a slight lower in minutes, together with his 17:11 ATOI clocking in as his lowest throughout his Vegas tenure by a slight margin.
Possible on account of a mixture of his discount in power-play utilization and his nagging damage, this season has been a troublesome one for Karlsson offensively. He’s scored seven objectives and 11 assists for 18 factors by 38 video games, down sharply from final yr’s resurgent 30-goal, 60-point marketing campaign.
Karlsson has remained precious to Vegas in different methods. He’s profitable faceoffs at a career-best 58.9 p.c fee, main the group. He additionally grades out as their high defensive ahead this season, recording team-best marks at even power in CF% (54.8) and GA/60 (1.8), the latter of which solely leads Knights forwards.
The alternate captain’s absence is a giant one for the Golden Knights, who will possible flip to Nicolas Roy to extend his minutes at even power and on the penalty kill to compensate. Roy’s level manufacturing isn’t dissimilar to Karlsson’s this season, however his defensive play is a sizeable downgrade. Vegas permits 3.2 GA/60 at even power with Roy on the ice, and his Corsi share whereas shorthanded is the worst among the many group’s common penalty killers.
Vegas has a full lively roster, and so they additionally received news Tuesday that depth ahead Cole Schwindt carries a week-to-week designation with a lower-body difficulty. One among them will presumably land on injured reserve to permit the Knights to recall a ahead for Thursday’s recreation in opposition to the Blues. Tanner Laczynski, a pure heart with a aim in six appearances for Vegas earlier this season, is the likeliest recall choice.
