Erik Karlsson agreed with coach Paul MacLean's assessment that he isn't playing up to his past standards since returning from his Achilles injury. "I'm not playing the way I did when I got hurt and that's just the way it is," Karlsson said. "I'm trying to figure it out. Every once in a while it works and you feel pretty good out there. I've got to find the consistent game as well." Even a partially healthy Karlsson is valuable to the Senators though, as they continue to play in the postseason against Pittsburgh in the second round.

Senators coach Paul MacLean doesn't think Erik Karlsson is playing at the same level he was prior to getting his Achilles sliced by Matt Cooke's skate. "I don't think he's close to what he was before he got injured," said MacLean. "He was a dominant, dominant player, possibly the best player in the league at the time of his injury. Our expectation wasn't that (his play) would be at that level. Our expectation is that Erik would make us a better team because of his abilities to move the puck and to help us on the power play, to quarterback that. Our expectation is not that he's the Norris Trophy-winning Erik Karlsson." He logged nearly 27 minutes of ice time in Game 1 against Pittsburgh and has picked up six points in six playoff matches so far.

Erik Karlsson isn't concerned with facing Pittsburgh's Matt Cooke in the second round of the playoffs. Cooke's skate cut Karlsson's Achilles tendon and the Ottawa defenseman missed 31 games after requiring surgery. "I don't have many thoughts," Karlsson said. "Whatever happened, happened. I'm back playing and it's not something I'm really thinking about." The offensively gifted blueliner generated one goal and five assists in the Senators' first-round series win over Montreal.

The Senators know that Game 4 on Tuesday night is a crucial one. It's a chance for them to really put the Canadiens in a hole and take a commanding 3-1 series lead. "Right now, (the momentum) is nowhere, it's a day off," Erik Karlsson said Monday. "The next one is a totally different game. We know the third one is harder to win than the second one. We have to come out like we did (Sunday), but even better. They want to prove they're the better team."

Erik Karlsson scored a goal and added an assist for Ottawa in a 4-2 win over the Canadiens in Game 1 of their first round playoff series. Karlsson opened the scoring in the game, but the Sens trailed 2-1 in the third period until they came roaring back with three straight tallies to steal the game. Jakob Silfverberg and Marc Methot each matched Karlsson by registering a goal and an assist in the win while Guillaume Latendresse was the other scorer for Ottawa.

Erik Karlsson says he has felt better each day since coming back from his Achilles injury. He surpassed 27 minutes of ice time in each of his three outings since returning to the lineup and he has collected four assists during that time. Karlsson should give Ottawa's troubled offense a much-needed jolt in the playoffs against Montreal.

Erik Karlsson logged 27:46 minutes on Saturday. Karlsson has gotten an about 55 minutes of playing time in his first two games back from an Achilles tendon injury. He was expected to miss the season due to the injury, so the fact that he's not only back but getting big minutes is insane. Ottawa might be heading for a first round exit, but Karlsson might average close to a point-per-game as long as the Senators are alive.

Ottawa coach Paul MacLean indicated that he may want to rest some veterans and previously-injured players Sunday night against Boston. That will include Craig Anderson and might include Erik Karlsson. We suspect Karlsson will talk his way into the lineup but keep an eye on this when setting your lineup for the last game of the season.

The Senators locked up a playoff spot, thanks, in part, to the return of Erik Karlsson. The blueliner suffered a 70 percent tear to his Achilles tendon only 10 weeks ago, but didn't miss a beat in the win against the Capitals, assisting on both goals and playing 27:11. "We came here with a goal -- two points -- and we got them," said Karlsson, who also had eight shots on net. "I didn't feel quite as comfortable as I used to. Overall, it was a solid game."

Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson assisted on both Ottawa goals in his return to the lineup, a 2-1 overtime win over Washington. It's incredible that Karlsson is even fit enough to be back in the lineup so soon, nevermind play over 27 minutes and register two points. Sergei Gonchar and Jakob Silfverberg were the goal scorers in the Senators victory.