The Golden Knights‘ young Swedish center scored his 40th goal of the season and added two assists in Monday’s playoff-clinching win over Colorado and once again displayed the type of play that has made him a pivotal part of Vegas’ impressive inaugural run.
Karlsson, who this season has more goals than in his previous stints with the Blue Jackets and Ducks combined, has helped form one of the most dangerous lines in the NHL playing alongside Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith.
”He shows up every night, he works hard, and he helps me be a better player and I help him to be a better player,” Marchessault said. ”I just love playing with a high-quality player like that. It doesn’t happen often in a career, to have a connection like that. Me, Karly and Smitty, we have something special. We know that, and I think it makes it fun every night.”
The Golden Knights were the first team in the NHL with five different 20-goal scorers this season, and Karlsson leads the way with his 40, fourth-best in the league. Marchessault (24) and Smith (22) have also scored at least 20 goals this season. Meanwhile, Karlsson is tied for 27th in the league with 69 points. It’s a big reason the expansion Golden Knights lead the Pacific Division with six games remaining.
”That’s what happens when you play with good players. I’ve always wanted to be a top-six forward in the NHL,” said Karlsson, who’s affectionately known as Wild Bill. ”It’s good to know that I can do it Youth M.J. Stewart Jersey , that I can be a top-six forward in this league. That feels really good to know after playing a defensive role the last couple of seasons. I got the chance here, playing with great players, and I’m happy that I took the chance. It’s been great so far, but we’re not nearly done.”
According to his teammates and coach Gerard Gallant, Karlsson’s diligence on the defensive end is what makes him such a special player. It’s not uncommon to see him start plays several passes before he’s on the receiving end of a would-be goal.
”I’m impressed by his goals, obviously, and his play offensively, but what people don’t realize is a lot of guys that have so many points are not especially great two-way players, not complete players,” center Pierre-Edouard Bellemare said. ”When there is a goal, often … I mean, five plays before he finishes, he’s the one creating that play because he plays the right way or he’s saying the right stuff. For me, that’s the most impressive part.”
Gallant said he knew the type of player he was getting in Karlsson coming into the Knights’ inaugural season. And while Gallant would have never predicted the types of numbers Karlsson has, he’s putting forth the effort Gallant expected to blend well with the likes of Marchessault and Smith.
”You look at the line Cheap John Kelly Jersey , they’re all high-plus players,” Gallant said. ”They’ve built chemistry all year long. It’s every night these guys are making good plays, and that’s important to our team. We talk about having 20 guys playing every night, and most nights we got it. But when these guys are hot like they are, they make your team go.
”Reilly Smith is one of the best two-way players in the league in my opinion. Marchy has had a great year both offensively and defensively. That’s what our team is, we work hard at both ends of the rink and that’s why we’re having success.”
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The NFL wants Congress to enact a framework for legalized sports betting in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that clears the way for more states to allow sports gambling.
Supreme Court justices voted 6-3 on Monday to strike down a 1992 law that barred most state-authorized sports gambling. Before the Supreme Court ruling, Nevada was the only state that allowed people to bet on the results of a single game.
"Congress has long recognized the potential harms posed by sports betting to the integrity of sporting contests and the public confidence in these events," the NFL said in a statement. "Given that history, we intend to call on Congress again, this time to enact a core regulatory framework for legalized sports betting."
All the major leagues responded to a ruling that figures to have far-reaching implications throughout the sports world. The NHL noted that "today paves the way to an entirely different landscape 鈥?one in which we have not previously operated."
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, a supporter of legalizing sports gambling, said his league would "remain active in ongoing discussions with state legislatures" about expanding wagering options.
Silver also said the league would like to see a federal framework instead of a state-by-state system. The NBA once opposed expanded sports betting but has long said it supports robust regulation.
The NBA and Major League Baseball have argued in recent months for a 1 percent cut of proceeds if legalized sports betting expands across the country, saying part of that money would be needed for additional compliance and enforcement efforts within the game.
"As each state considers whether to allow sports betting, we will continue to seek the proper protections for our sport, in partnership with other professional sports Youth Tre'Quan Smith Jersey ," Major League Baseball said in a statement.
Keith Whyte, the executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, believes any governmental body and sports league that receives a direct percentage or portion of sports betting revenue must also dedicate funds to prevent and treat gambling problems.
"Some of that 1 percent of betting fees is going to come from people with uncontrollable gambling problems," Whyte said. "We believe by taking a cut of this money, (the leagues would) put themselves in the position of having to do something to reduce those costs. Great profits come with great responsibility."
MLB said it would "continue to support legislation that creates air-tight coordination and partnerships between the state, the casino operators and the governing bodies in sports" toward protecting the integrity of the game. Major League Soccer issued a statement seeking similar cooperation.
"Although Major League Soccer is supportive of today's Supreme Court decision, we also believe that it is critical that state legislatures and other regulatory bodies work closely with the professional sports leagues in the United States to develop a regulatory framework to protect the integrity of each of our respective sports," the MLS said in its statement. "We look forward to being a part of that process."
Plenty of leagues already have taken steps to make sure its players are educated on the issue.
For example, last year the PGA Tour hired Genesis Sports to help with its new "Integrity Program" that began at the start of the year. The program requires players on all six circuits the PGA Tour manages to take part in an online tutorial that, among other things, illustrates some of the far-reaching effects of gambling.
"We believe that regulation is the most effective way of ensuring integrity in competition, protecting consumers, engaging fans and generating revenue for government, operators and leagues," the PGA Tour said in a statement.
The Supreme Court ruling will impact college sports as well as the pro leagues. Donald Remy Mike McGlinchey 49ers Jersey , the NCAA's chief legal officer, said the organization is reviewing the Supreme Court's decision and that "we will adjust sports wagering and championship policies to align with the direction from the court."
The NCAA currently doesn't hold NCAA Tournament games or any other NCAA-run events in Nevada because of its legal gambling. Las Vegas is home to the annual Las Vegas Bowl as well as the Pac-12 men's basketball tournament and other tournaments, which aren't run by the NCAA itself.
The NCAA said 24 percent of NCAA male student-athletes and about 5 percent of female student-athletes in 2016 reported they had wagered on sports for money within the previous year , which would violate NCAA bylaws. Just below 2 percent of the men participating in the 2016 survey met what the NCAA termed as standard diagnostic criteria for problem gambling.
Reactions to the Supreme Court ruling across the sports world weren't limited to the league offices. The athletes themselves also were wondering about the possible implications of increased legal sports gambling.
NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski tweeted he was "torn" on the Supreme Court's decision. Keselowski said it "should be great for our sport, but I've also seen gambling ruin lives."
"If you choose to gamble on me or anyone else, please be responsible, and if you need help, get help," Keselowski added.
AP golf writer Doug Ferguson, AP basketball writer Tim Reynolds and AP college football writer Ralph D. Russo contributed to this report.
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