ANAHEIM, Calif. — William Karlsson felt the only thing that would take time to come back to him was his timing.
The skating was there. The speed would be there. Defense? No problem.
It took one period for the chemistry to show with his new linemates, with Mitch Marner recording his first career playoff hat trick and Brett Howden posting a two-point night.
That line combined for seven points in the Vegas Golden Knights’ 6-2 win in Game 3 over the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on Friday.
“When we get started cycling there, I think we’re doing a good job supporting each other,” Karlsson said. “We always have someone available and kind of know where everyone is at all times. It’s just been clicking so far, but we got to keep going. It’s hard work behind it, but it was a good one.”
Shot-wise, the Knights’ new second line was even.
Shot attempts were 7-7 and shots on goal were 4-4 while on the ice for a team-high 10:07.
“I think they had the puck,” coach John Tortorella said. “I think they read pretty well off one another. Bill’s a pretty big piece for us right now, coming into the second round, where I could use him all over the place as I did tonight. I like that line. Hopefully it’ll continue.”
The Knights had to rotate wingers because of the injury to captain Mark Stone late in the first period, so the linemates weren’t together for both of Marner’s 5-on-5 goals.
But it was still an impactful line, led by Marner’s four-point night.
Karlsson moved Marner to his natural right wing position, creating not just a formidable defensive tandem, but one that could thrive off speed and hockey IQ.
Those, alone, were intangibles the Knights missed while Karlsson was out for nearly six months with a lower-body injury.
“I knew a little bit about Will throughout coming here. I think I didn’t know as much as people were telling me about him,” Marner said. “It was big for us as the start of the season, and losing him was a pretty big hit for our team, as well.
“It’s been really easy to play with him. He makes a lot of great plays. He seems like he’s always in a great spot defensively, as well with his stick and his feet.”
The Ducks dominated the shot counter for the third straight game, but for the first time this series, fell behind on the scoreboard.
The Knights jumped out to a 3-0 lead, aided by Shea Theodore’s goal 1:06 into the game. Defenseman Brayden McNabb added a shorthanded goal at 12:13, then capped off by Marner’s power-play goal with four seconds left in the period.
It didn’t matter that the Knights generated 14 shot attempts in the opening 20 minutes. The game felt over for the Ducks before it got off the ground.
Marner and Howden are now tied atop the league leaderboard with six goals in the playoffs. Marner has 13 points — nine of them have come in the last four games.
There’s a lot of time left in the series, starting with Game 4 on Sunday. But mission accomplished for that line on Friday.
“I tell (Karlsson) and (Howden) the same thing that if you’re open, if you’re in a place, let me know and I’ll try to get it to you,” Marner said. “That’s something we’re going to try to keep getting better with and keep doing.”
Contact Danny Webster at dwebster@reviewjournal.com. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.
