Golden Knights’ William Karlsson out week-to-week with lower-body injury

The Vegas Golden Knights announced Thursday that center William Karlsson will be sidelined on a week-to-week basis after sustaining a lower-body injury.

On the season, Karlsson has made 38 appearances with the Golden Knights in which he has tallied seven goals with 11 assists for 18 points. Facing the St. Louis Blues in the team’s most recent outing Monday, Karlsson saw 17:46 in ice time, closing out the contest with four shots and a plus-two rating.

Skating in his eighth season with the Golden Knights, the 32-year-old Swedish-born forward has seen a decline in his productivity following the 2023-24 campaign where through 70 outings he recorded 30 goals and 30 assist for 60 points, his second-best finish following his 78-point campaign during the Golden Knights’ inaugural season in 2017-18.

Originally chosen 53rd overall by the Pacific Division rival Anaheim Ducks in the 2011 NHL Draft, Karlsson has seen 723 career contests counting stops with the Ducks, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Golden Knights in which he has amassed 177 goals and 258 assists for 435 points. Karlsson originally joined the Golden Knights as part of the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft.

En route to the Golden Knights’ first-ever Stanley Cup championship in 2023, Karlsson was one of the team’s most important pieces as his 17 points ranked sixth in team scoring, while among Vegas skaters his 11 goals that postseason were only outpaced by fellow forward and eventual Conn Smythe Trophy recipient Jonathan Marchessault.

Per PuckPedia, Karlsson is in the sixth year of an eight-year contract that carries a $5.9-million annual average value.

Entering Thursday action, the Golden Knights sit atop the Pacific Division with a 29-14-4 record and 62 points. Following Monday’s overtime loss to the Blues, the Golden Knights will have their chance at redemption Thursday when the club travels to St. Louis.