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Karlsson helps Golden Knights beat Sharks in Game 3

By Alex Butler
Vegas Golden Knights' William Karlsson of Sweden talks with teammate Nate Schmidt. Photo by BIll Greenblatt/UPI
Vegas Golden Knights' William Karlsson of Sweden talks with teammate Nate Schmidt. Photo by BIll Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo

May 1 (UPI) -- William "Wild Bill" Karlsson scored the overtime winner by going top shelf in the Vegas Golden Knights' Game 3 victory against the San Jose Sharks.

"I had a couple seconds to take my time," Karlsson told reporters Monday at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif.

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"To get away with the shot. Yeah, it was a good shot."

Vegas now leads the Stanley Cup playoff series 2-1. The Golden Knights fell down early, but scored three unanswered goals in the second period to take control of the game.

Sharks right wing Wimo Meier lit the lamp first in the Western Conference showdown. Left wing Mikkel Boedker belted a slap shot, but it was deflected by the defense. Chris Tierney collected the rebound and fired a pass to Meier on his right. The 21-year-old ripped a one-timer past Marc-Andre Fleury for the first score of the game.

Colin Miller sparked the Golden Knights' comeback 2:41 later. Left winger James Neal found Miller at the back door on the play. He blew a shot by Martin Jones to tie the game.

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Jonathan Marchessault scored his second goal of the playoffs 13:09 into the second frame, giving the Golden Knights a 2-1 edge. Reilly Smith used feeds from Karlsson and Marchessault to earn a 3-1 lead 1:17 later.

Then the Sharks mounted their own comeback. Evander Kane lit the lamp 7:49 into the third period. Tomas Hertl sent it to overtime, beating Fleury with just 1:57 remaining in regulation.

Then came Karlsson.

Neal got the puck in transition and skated between the blue lines. He then sent a pass to Karlsson on his right. Karlsson sped up for a breakaway down the right flank.

He then smacked a wicked wrist shot, beating Jones stick-side for the game-winner.

"He [Karlsson] has done a lot this year for us," Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant said. "Obviously, he scored 43 goals in the regular season, but that was a huge goal tonight to get that goal in overtime. There were lots of great chances. Both goalies made some great saves in overtime. There were a couple posts hit in overtime. It was a big goal for [our team]. Karly has been doing that all year for us."

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The Golden Knights face the Sharks in Game 4 at 10 p.m. Wednesday in San Jose.

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