If only Bill Foley had thought of this when he was struggling to name Vegas' expansion franchise.
"We are the Golden Misfits," William Karlsson proclaimed, according to NHL.com's Nick Cotsonika, after scoring the overtime winner and setting up another goal with an incredible pass in the Vegas Golden Knights' 4-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks in Game 3 on Monday night.
The star forward explained that the players refer to themselves by that name, but that he doesn't consider himself a leader of the group.
"I wish," Karlsson added, per The Athletic's Eric Duhatschek. "There were some other Golden Misfits leaders. I just try to blend in.”
The Golden Knights' unexpected success has been well-documented, and they've indeed done it with a collection of players who were cast aside for one reason or another by their former organizations.
Karlsson has enjoyed a phenomenal breakout season with Vegas since being left exposed by the Columbus Blue Jackets and chosen by the Golden Knights in the expansion draft. He ranked third in the NHL with 43 goals in the regular season and racked up 78 points in 82 games, obliterating his previous career highs of nine goals (in 2015-16) and 25 points (last season).
He's carried that success into the playoffs as Vegas' improbable run has continued, potting four goals (including two game-winners) and nine points in seven games.
