Brett Howden had the easy part of the assignment. He just had to find the soft spot in the offensive zone and put the puck in the net.
It was William Karlsson who had to fire a backhand pass through three Winnipeg Jets players to land at the tape of Howden’s stick for the game-winning goal.
That connection with 4:05 left gave the Golden Knights a 4-3 win over the Jets on Friday at T-Mobile Arena.
Karlsson, playing in his 700th NHL game, picked up the primary assist by threading the needle from the right faceoff with a backhand to a cutting Howden for the tap-in deflection.
“I had a lot of ice to skate into,” Karlsson said when entering the neutral zone. “I had (Alexander Holtz) on the right side, drove the net and opened up that seam. I knew Howie was on my left. I was hoping he was there, and he was.”
The goal was Howden’s second of the night and a career-high 10th of the season to help the Knights (15-6-3) get back on the winning track after securing seven of 10 points on a season-long five-game road trip.
Left wing Ivan Barbashev also scored twice, and center Jack Eichel had two assists to reach 36 points in 24 games. Goaltender Adin Hill finished with 22 saves.
“I had the easy job just trying to find the open ice, just trying to find a quiet area,” Howden said. “Karly’s the one that makes the play. It was pretty easy for me to put it into an empty net.”
The Jets (18-6-0) still have the best record in the NHL despite their third regulation loss in four games, but Winnipeg wasn’t at full strength in this game.
It wasn’t due to injury. It was the goalie choice. The Jets started backup Eric Comrie instead of reigning Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck.
That decision was likely due to the Jets playing two upcoming division games — at Dallas on Sunday and against St. Louis on Tuesday. Comrie played well with 26 saves, but the Knights couldn’t get the satisfaction of beating the Jets at their absolute peak.
They won’t complain about this win, and there should be no need to.
The Knights had an answer each time against the Jets. Winnipeg center Cole Perfetti scored twice, including the first goal of the game, but Howden tied it 1-1 at 18:13 after forcing a turnover and using his speed to crash the net.
Barbahsev gave the Knights a first-period lead with 16 seconds left on a shot while lying on his stomach.
Perfetti tied it at 14:28 of the second period, but the Knights had the response again with Barbashev finishing a behind-the-back pass from Eichel 4:43 into the third for the 3-2 lead.
Howden’s winner came after Winnipeg defenseman Neal Pionk tied it at 8:55.
“I think they brought back a sense of purpose,” coach Bruce Cassidy said of his group going 3-1-1 on the road trip. “Taking care of business. That’s what we’ve always been about.”
Just like the Knights had hardly any time for rest on the road, there won’t be any coming at home. They play the second leg of a back-to-back Saturday against the Utah Hockey Club in the final meeting between the teams this season.
It may not have been quite the signature win the Knights were hoping for, but a win like that should energize a group for another game in 24 hours.
“The boys have done a tremendous job,” Karlsson said. “I think we looked pretty good today. Hopefully we come out looking the same tomorrow.”
Three takeaways from the win:
1. Domination on the draw
The Knights had no problem winning battles in the faceoff circle. They went 33-15 when the puck dropped, with Karlsson going 11 for 13 and center Tomas Hertl finishing 11 for 12.
Three of Karlsson’s faceoff wins came on the penalty kill. The Knights killed both of Winnipeg’s power plays.
Faceoffs don’t normally dictate the pace of the game, but the Knights won crucial draws to ensure they controlled the action.
2. Holtz stands out
Holtz continues to search for a home in the lineup. What might be clear is Karlsson is the right center for him.
Holtz has played his best when Karlsson is his center, and it showed Friday. Though he had no points and just one shot, he forced a turnover in the first that led to a dangerous chance for Karlsson in front.
His linemates credited him for his presence of mind to draw the Winnipeg defenders away from Howden on his game-winning goal.
The good has come with the bad for Holtz this season, but the little things showed up in this game. That’s how a young player can continue to build trust with his coaching staff and teammates.
3. Wild finish
The Knights had to fight off a hectic end to secure the two points.
Defenseman Brayden McNabb was called for tripping with 2:44 remaining to give the Jets a power play. Comrie was pulled for the extra attacker with 25 seconds left.
The Knights killed the short six-on-four, then shut down some transition chances to prevent the tying goal.
Shorthanded situations late in games have been the Knights’ Achilles’ heel. The penalty kill, given the situation, came up with the biggest sequence of the game.
Contact Danny Webster at [email protected]. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.
Up next
What: Utah at Golden Knights
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: T-Mobile Arena
TV: KMCC-34
Radio: KKGK (1340 AM, 98.9 FM)
Odds: Knights -180; total 6½
