LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Vegas Golden Knights returned to City National Arena on Sunday to prepare for the second round against the Anaheim Ducks with a familiar face returning to the ice.
"William Karlsson joined the team in Salt Lake; he practiced there; he continues to progress. Tat's as far as I'll go with respect to his availability," Vegas Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon said.
WATCH | Alex Eschelman was at City National Arena to hear McCrimmon's thoughts ahead of Round 2:
While Karlsson's return is unknown, McCrimmon says one thing is for certain: the team has more confidence under head coach John Tortorella.
"Torts has done a really good job in terms of leaning on his assistants. I think he's had a really good touch with how to handle the people," McCrimmon said.
After leading the Golden Knights to a 4-2 series win over the Utah Mammoth in the first round, Tortorella and the team now turn their attention to the Ducks — a club with similarities to Vegas in how they get off the rush and their net-front presence.
"That's how you score goals in front of the net — tips, deflections. You look at how we score, that's how we scored a lot of our goals in the first series, so I think for us as well just making it hard for their goalie, getting in front of his eyes and making it hard on their D, too, that will be a big part of the series," defenseman Noah Hanifin said.
The Golden Knights are one of only two teams — along with the Carolina Hurricanes — to advance to the second round in back-to-back years.
Vegas hosts Anaheim Monday night at 6:30 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena for Game 1 of the second round in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. You can find the full schedule for the second-round series here:
Vegas Golden Knights
Schedule drops for Golden Knights vs. Ducks in Round 2 of Stanley Cup Playoffs
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FULL PRESSER: Golden Knights GM speaks on coaching shakeup
Head Coach Bruce Cassidy is out after the team announced it was parting ways with him on Sunday. Now, John Tortorella is the new head coach, with eight games left in the regular season.
McCrimmon, Tortorella speak on coaching changes for Vegas Golden Knights
Head Coach Bruce Cassidy is out after the team announced it was parting ways with him on Sunday. Now, John Tortorella is the new head coach, with eight games left in the regular season.
Vegas Golden Knights fire Bruce Cassidy, John Tortorella as new head coach
The Golden Knights part ways with Bruce Cassidy and name John Tortorella as the new head coach, according to General Manager Kelly McCrimmon on Sunday.
Vegas Golden Knights fire Bruce Cassidy, John Tortorella as new head coach
The Golden Knights fired Bruce Cassidy and named John Tortorella as the new head coach, according to General Manager Kelly McCrimmon on Sunday.
