According to HC Bruce Cassidy, Vegas Golden Knights forward William Karlsson is a game-time decision.
The Golden Knights return to T-Mobile Arena tonight after a four-game Eastern Conference road trip to take on the Boston Bruins and are in line to welcome back a key contributor to their lineup.
Karlsson has been out of the lineup since Jan. 20 with a lower-body injury, but if all goes to plan, he will make his long-awaited return. He’s currently listed as a game-time decision, but Cassidy mentioned “that the plan is for him to play.”
The 32-year-old has been a full participant in practice in the previous two skates, centring Nicolas Roy and Reilly Smith on the third line. At the current stage of his career and the injury issues he’s faced, Karlsson hasn’t produced offensively like he did just last season but has maintained his effectiveness on the defensive side of the puck.
“When you do get injured and you can’t be playing, it’s kind of like a reminder of how much you do actually love the game of hockey and how much fun it is,” said Karlsson.
The Golden Knights are a far more consistent team with Karlsson in the lineup and will be glad to welcome him back if he is indeed available tonight.
He’ll allow Cassidy to give Jack Eichel more rest and more favourable matchups, allowing his offensive game to shine. He’ll also provide a boost to the Golden Knights’ second power play unit and penalty kill.
In all, Karlsson’s eventual return is far more valuable than what it may seem on the surface and with 15 games remaining, it gives him plenty of time to gear up for the playoffs.
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