Las vigas. William Carlson and Gustav Forsling are not sure if they have ever met.
But in the coming weeks, they’ll get to know each other better – on hockey’s biggest stage.
The two Swedes have a great mutual respect ahead of their Stanley Cup Final meeting
– It’s not going to be easy to stop William, it’s really important that we play him hard and make sure he doesn’t get any time, says Forsling when we meet the pair before the first round in the heat in Las Vegas.
The hockey world is remarkably young, and most of those who have reached the borders of the NHL know each other at least superficially – and all Swedes in the best league in the world have, if not close friendships, then at least relationships, usually from national teams of different levels.
But the blue and yellow stars of the Stanley Cup Final who parted ways tonight really don’t know if they’ve ever been seen.
– I don’t dare answer yes or no, I actually don’t remember, Carlson says with a tormented smile when we meet him during the so-called media day the day before the first game in Las Vegas so hot that it is hardly possible to stay outside.
And Forsling can’t give a clear message either.
– No, I’m also a little unsure, but I don’t think so, haha.
Both have complete control
However, he is acutely aware of how outstanding his compatriot has been over the opening three rounds – and vice versa. Karlsson has complete control over the exclamation mark that Forsling has grown into in the Panthers backup lineup.
– He’s playing very well, I watched him a lot in this match and he looked really strong. As I understand it, he was picked up on waivers from Carolina a few years ago. There you can talk about something being lost. It’s a great trip anyway, glad it’s going so well for him.
The respect is mutual.
– Yes, Carlson is a great hockey player, I saw it now, he is good at forwards and forwards and scores many goals for them. So, he’s definitely a guy we have to keep an eye on, Forsling notes.
Who will be the person who will be given the task of tracking it down. In the series against Boston, Toronto and Carolina, he, in turn, neutralized David Pasternak, Auston Matthews and Sebastian Ahu – and now, among other things, it is Marsta’s “Wild Bill” who will erase him from the match picture.
– It won’t be easy to stop William, it’s really important that you stress him out and make sure he doesn’t get any time. This is what you have to do against all players of this level.
“Like his father”
Only now ring rust has not taken a deep seat among the Florida cats. It has been a full ten days since they last played a match and some are worried that the incredible momentum they have been building over the past month may have been lost – and that they simply won’t be able to, for example, play hard enough against Herr Carlsson.
But Gustav, on the contrary, sees a long pause as positive.
– Yes, I think it was useful to us. We’ve recovered and fixed some of the injuries we had on the team and have been able to focus on how to play against Vegas. He says: I think it feels very good.
Wild Bill also thinks so – in part because he and his teammates have experienced this hockey’s biggest moment before. He also played in the final in 2018.
– I think it could be important. Six years ago, everything was new and I myself have played no more than the first role. Now I feel like I’ve seen this before and I probably never will be.
And for those wondering: Beckham’s few-week-old son didn’t bother his dad during the pre-final loadout.
– No, it’s very quiet and relaxing. Like his father (grinning).
The first final between Vegas and Florida takes place tonight, at 02.00 Swedish time.