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 Authentic Saquon Barkley Jersey , 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, 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 http://www.49ersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-jonathan-cooper-jersey ,” 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, 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 first time Michael Porter Jr. actually talked to anyone from the Denver Nuggets was Thursday at the NBA draft. He didn’t think there was any need Kemoko Turay Color Rush Jersey , and neither did the Nuggets.

The fact that he was available at No. 14 surprised both parties, regardless of Porter’s well-documented back and recent hip issues.

The oft-injured forward thinks he shook hands with someone from the Nuggets after his pro day workout. He said the first time he spoke to someone from the organization was when he was drafted, either the general manager or the owner -he’s not sure who it was.

Still, he made enough of an impression for the Nuggets brain trust to make him the last lottery pick selected on Thursday night.

“I’m not going to lie to you, I was stressed out,” Porter said. “All that stress was overcome by joy the moment I got called, no matter what number it was. It’s been my dream since I was a kid.

“At the end of the day, the draft is a number and I wasn’t going to let an ego get in the way of my joy. I’m happy to be where I’m at and I feel like it’s the perfection situation for me.”

Albeit an unexpected situation.

Everything Porter knew about the Nuggets was hearsay – “a great city, a great organization.” He didn’t invest much of his time prior to the draft getting to know the team.

“Honestly, the teams at the very, very top of the draft told me last week I was their guy, they were going to take me http://www.billsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-trent-murphy-jersey ,” Porter said. “Then the hip episode happened, and then doctors got involved and they got score. So once one team gets scared, a lot of them get scared.”

That’s how he dropped.

Porter also had the back history as a red flag. He played only three games at Missouri, 53 minutes total. He sustained a back injury and had to undergo surgery. Then, the hip happened during the draft process and he cancelled a recent workout.

Knowing some teams considered him a gamble, maybe even a risk, Porter just wanted to go somewhere that believed in him, which is apparently Denver.

“I consider it a blessing,” Porter said, “because maybe the team I was going to go to at the top wasn’t the right team for me.”

Right or wrong, it will cost him. Porter is guaranteed $2.4 million. First-pick Deandre Ayton will get at least $6.7 million.

Many fans at Barclays Center wanted Porter to go earlier, specifically ninth. As soon as the New York Knicks were on the clock Eddie Rosario Minnesota Twins Jersey , chants of Porter’s name broke out. Porter looked over to a crowd of fans on his left and smiled.

Both parties were disappointed when Commissioner Adam Silver announced Kevin Knox’s name instead.

“That’s just motivation,” Knox said. “A lot of people want him to get to the Knicks, but I mean, it’s all good with me. . They can chant Michael Porter all they want. But they got Kevin Knox, and I’m willing to work and I’m willing to get better.”

And Porter is going to do the same – for the Nuggets.

Porter can’t wait to prove every team that passed on him wrong. He’s not concerned about his health. And he plans to show that no one else should be worried either.

Well, except his competitors.

“For me, we’re all in the NBA now,” Porter said. “We’ll see who are the best players, and we’ll see who should have been the top draft picks.”

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