Erik Karlsson notched the Ottawa Senators' lone goal in a 4-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday. That's his seventh tally of 2013-14, maintaining his exact point-per-game pace (20 in 20 games). After a slightly slow start, the Swede is showing why he was such a high pick in fantasy leagues.

Erik Karlsson registered an assist in Ottawa's 3-2 win Saturday. Karlsson has only been held off the scoresheet twice in his last nine contests. Consequently, he currently leads all defensemen with 18 points in 16 games this season.

Erik Karlsson has the green light from his coaches to keep doing what he's doing. "We don't have any ceiling for him ... so he can just keep going," coach Paul MacLean said. "The way that he played (Tuesday), he really controlled a lot of the pace of the game and tempo of the game and if he can continue to do that, we're looking forward to watching that." MacLean added that Karlsson appears to have his instincts back after a sluggish start to the 2013-14 campaign. He will take a five-game point streak into Thursday night's meeting with Montreal and has 17 points in 15 matches.

After a relatively slow start, Erik Karlsson is red-hot. In fact, his 17 points lead NHL defensemen. He scored two goals on Tuesday to extend his point streak to five games (four tallies, five assists for nine points). In that span he's fired 7, 8 and 9 SOG, showing the form that made him someone people considered making a first-round pick.

Erik Karlsson notched a goal and an assist in Sunday's 4-3 shootout loss to Dallas. He also racked up eight shots on goal and posted a plus-1 rating in 32:03 of ice time. Karlsson extended his current point streak to four games with his third multi-point effort during that span. He leads all NHL defensemen with 15 points in 14 games this season and he's third in the league in average ice time.

Erik Karlsson feels that unrealistic expectations are being placed on him. "You guys talked about me like I'm some (effing) god or something," he said. "It's not easy to live up to that. I had a great season (2011-12), and I'm going to have to live with that. It's something I try not to focus on, try not to compare myself to. I just want this team to win more games . . . even if I don't win the Norris Trophy." The Senators have posted a 4-5-2 record and Karlsson is trying to get the team back on the rails first. He has displayed flashes of his Norris Trophy form and has 10 points in 11 games this season, so fantasy owners probably haven't been complaining too much when he does have an off night.

The Ottawa Senators didn't have a great Sunday against the San Jose Sharks, but Erik Karlsson put up promising stats in a 5-2 loss. Despite a -1 rating, Karlsson generated the kind of numbers his owners hoped for. He had a staggering nine SOG to go with his goal and assist. His tendency to fire a ton of pucks on net is a big reason why fantasy owners pick him so high, so this is a great sign - even if trailing probably inflates that mark.

Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson had a Friday to forget, as he was on the ice for both Anaheim Ducks goals in a 2-1 loss. The game-winner can be pinned on Karlsson, as he coughed up a puck that eventually ended up being Ryan Getzlaf's game-winner. The Swedish blueliner can be a high-risk, high-reward player, so some nights are going to be rougher than others.

Erik Karlsson logged a season-high 30:37 of ice time in Saturday's 3-1 loss to Edmonton. He currently stands third in the league with an average ice time of 27:46 per contest. Karlsson has six points, 22 shots and a minus-2 rating in eight games this year.

Erik Karlsson amassed a goal and two assists Thursday night. This is the kind of performance that Karlsson owners had been waiting for. The offensive blueliner doubled his point total and he was back rushing the puck up the ice like he used to. He has the ability to score like a top-six forward and if this game was his wake-up call then the opposition should watch out.