– This is not enough, we have to get better at winning the close matches. We simply have to play with more energy, said a disappointed Joel Eriksson Ek afterwards.
He decided the first meeting between the teams in Las Vegas with the only goal of the match after extra time on Sunday.
Vegas took revenge at home on Tuesday with a 3-1 win.
So when the match series now moved to Wilds home arena Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul was for both teams trying to grab the initiative for the sequel.
Golden Knights team captain Mark Stone accounted for two goals and was named the field’s best player before William Karlsson, who contributed one goal and one assist.
Karlsson’s full hit came with just over two minutes left and meant a lead of 4-2.
He came in a two-on-one situation with teammate Jonathan Marchessault against Wildback Ryan Suter.
But instead of looking for a pass, William chose to shoot himself at full speed from the left technical circle and could to his delight see the puck go into the club cross behind goalkeeper Cam Talbot.
– Very nice to see it go in, a redemptive goal for both me and the team that was important to us. Always nice to contribute, says William.
William Karlsson goal scorer
– We were a little lucky when we requested a video review of their 3-0 goal and got it right. Picking up two goals is definitely easier than crawling back from a three-goal deficit, Mark Stone said afterwards in a television interview with NBC Sports.
– Then (Marc-Andre) Fleury answered for some important saves and we put the gas in the bottom and started to check harder. It’s our style and when everyone got up, we got a dividend, Stone continued.
However, former NHL coach Mike Babcock, who was on the expert panel at NBC Sports this evening, warned that Minnesota will return.
– Do not think that Minnesota lays down and gives up now even if this was a painful loss. They will be tagged back in the next match on Saturday, I am convinced of that. Wild is a very good team with a good mix of player types, Babcock commented.
