Overview
- Head coach John Tortorella confirmed Monday that Karlsson will play in Game 1 at T-Mobile Arena on ESPN.
- The 33-year-old missed nearly six months with a lower-body injury after logging 14 games, last appearing on Nov. 8 against Anaheim.
- Media projections place him in a depth role on the third line with minutes still uncertain, potentially alongside Tomas Hertl and Reilly Smith.
- Defenseman Jeremy Lauzon missed practice after a puck hit to the head in Game 6, and Vegas recalled Dylan Coghlan to bolster the blue line.
- This is the teams’ first playoff meeting, and the best-of-seven uses a 2-2-1-1-1 format with Vegas holding home ice after Anaheim went 3-0-0 against them this season.