When William Karlsson returned from a six-month absence due to a lower-body injury, the Vegas Golden Knights didn’t know where he would fit. After a brief experiment with Tomas Hertl and Keegan Kolesar, coach John Tortorella moved Karlsson to center Brett Howden and Mitch Marner in the third period of Game 2 against the Anaheim Ducks. The result: a line that produced three goals and six assists over the next four games, helping Vegas win the series in six.
Karlsson, who missed 68 regular-season games and the entire first round against Utah, had never skated with Marner this season and only twice with Howden. Yet the trio clicked immediately. Marner recorded his first career playoff hat trick in Game 3, and the line combined for nine of Marner’s 11 points in Games 3-6. Howden added three goals and an assist, while Karlsson chipped in three assists.
“I knew a little bit about Will throughout coming here,” Marner said. “I didn’t know as much as people were telling me about him. It was big for us at the start of the season, and losing him was a big hit for our team, as well.”
The chemistry extended beyond scoring. Howden has three of the Knights’ four short-handed goals this postseason, all with Marner earning the primary assist. In Game 6, Howden drew attention from both Ducks defensemen after Marner made a play, leaving Howden alone on the weak side to score.
“As soon as I see him have the puck, I seen that he had time and space. I just tried building up some speed,” Howden said. “I thought he was going to kick it out to me, and he didn’t. When he has the puck on his stick, I just try to get to the net and find some space.”
Even with the Ducks holding a 25-17 edge in shots and a 46-36 advantage in shot attempts when the line was on the ice, the Golden Knights outscored Anaheim 2-0 and held an 11-9 edge in high-danger chances. “It’s just been clicking so far, but we’ve got to keep going,” Karlsson said.
As Vegas prepares to face the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Final, the Karlsson-Howden-Marner line could be the difference. Marner described Karlsson as easy to play with: “He makes a lot of great plays. He seems like he’s always in a great spot defensively with his stick and his feet.” Karlsson returned the compliment, calling Marner “very vocal” and “easy to play with.”
