Give Round One to the new kids on the block.
The seeds for a rivalry between the Golden
http://www.goldenknightsproshops.com/reilly-smith-c-1_36.html Knights and the Los Angeles Kings were planted Sunday in front of a raucous record crowd of 18,211 at T-Mobile Arena as the Knights built a 3-0 first-period lead, then held off a furious third-period push to prevail 4-2.
The Knights, who improved to 12-6-1, pulled within a point of L.A., the Pacific Division leaders who have 26 points.
“
You could tell within three seconds this was a big game the way the crowd was into it,” said Knights right wing Alex Tuch, who sealed the victory on an empty-net goal with 1:02 remaining after the Kings got goals from Trevor Lewis and Tanner Pearson. “It’s the mentality that we’re going to keep pushing forward, and it’s all five guys doing it.”Center William Karlsson scored twice in the opening 11:22. The first goal came 55 seconds into the game when he beat goaltender Jonathan Quick with a wrist shot from the left faceoff circle. His second, a shot from in front of the crease with Quick out of position, made it 3-0 and resulted in Kings coach John Stevens pulling Quick for Darcy Kuemper.
In between Karlsson
’s goals, Cody Eakin notched his third, snapping a wrist shot over Quick’s shoulder.“
I was a little surprised on the first one,” Karlsson said. “But I feel like I have a lot of confidence right now, and my linemates (Reilly Smith and Jonathan Marchessault) are doing a great job getting me the puck where I can score.“
I came here with the idea I’d get more http://www.authenticnhlmapleleafsshop.com/milan-michalek-jersey-c-1_9.html opportunities to play, and so far it’s worked out great. I love being here.”Karlsson played 17:17 Sunday, took six total shots and had his eighth and ninth goals. Last year at Columbus, he averaged 13:23 of ice time.
