GOLDEN KNIGHTS

the opposition’s top line. It’s a new challenge for Stone and Pacioretty with the Knights, but they’ve proved more than capable so far.

“They’re an elite group,” coach Pete Deboer said. “Sticking (Karlsson) in the middle there obviously helps. What I like about them is they can create offense, but you can also play them in any defensive situation and feel comfortable.

”That’s a sign of a real, true

No. 1 line when you can put them out there in both situations anytime of the game.”

Karlsson has thrived as a two-way cornerstone for the Knights; he’s in his third season of shutting down the opposition’s top players.

For most of his time with the Knights, he’s centered Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith. But Deboer placed Karlsson between Pacioretty and Stone in the second period of the team’s 4-0 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Feb. 11 and has kept them together since.

“He’s got a lot of speed,” Pacioretty said of Karlsson. “Lot of poise as well.”

Karlsson, Pacioretty and Stone have received the bulk of 5-on-5 time against the St. Louis Blues, New York Islanders and Washington Capitals’ top lines the past three games. In that span they have an 33-14 advantage in shot attempts and a 17-5 edge in scoring chances.

They’ve controlled play despite each matchup being different. The Islanders have a speedy top line with center Mathew Barzal, but the Capitals have an older unit with veterans Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Ovechkin.

“Being able to play against different types of players, different types of top players like that is kind of what’s needed,” Pacioretty said. “I thought we did a good job of that tonight, and (we) got to keep going that way.”

Equipment change

Center Tomas Nosek was happy to downgrade to a visor

Monday after sporting a full faceshield the previous five games. Nosek had worn the faceshield since taking a puck to the face Feb. 4 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“It was a little annoying,” Nosek said of the full shield. “You couldn’t see through the bottom.”

Deboer OK with early start

Deboer was fine with arriving at T-mobile Arena a little early Monday. The coach said he was a fan of the 3:07 p.m. faceoff against the Capitals.

“It’s a nice change of pace,” Deboer said. “You get this deep in the season, anytime you can change the routine a little bit, I think it’s a little bit exciting.”

Glass sent down

Rookie Cody Glass was sent to the American Hockey League’s Chicago Wolves after Monday’s