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.

Erik Karlsson will amazingly return to Ottawa's lineup Thursday night after partially tearing his Achilles tendon on Feb. 13. He was expected to miss four-to-six months after undergoing surgery to repair a 70 percent tear of his Achilles tendon, but managed to come back after just 10 weeks. He will be paired with Marc Methot and should get power-play time as well.

Erik Karlsson wouldn't guarantee his return to the lineup following Wednesday's practice, but it remains a possibility that he'll play before the end of the regular season. "We're just going to wait and see how things progress," he said. "I feel better and better every day, but it's still not back to normal and probably won't be for a long time." Karlsson may return from a 70 percent tear of his Achilles tendon in just 10 weeks, which is less than half the normal recovery time. His status for Thursday's contest at Washington should be clearer after the Senators' morning skate. Ottawa can clinch a playoff spot if they beat the Capitals.

Erik Karlsson participated regularly at Ottawa's practice Wednesday and it looks like he will be able to play against Washington Thursday night. "If he feels confident it's time for him to play he'll play," said coach Paul MacLean. Karlsson has been out of action since Feb. 13 after he required surgery to repair a 70 percent tear of his Achilles tendon. We'll keep you posted on his status.

Despite the fact Erik Karlsson has made a quick and impressive recovery from sliced Achilles tendon, he will not play Saturday night against Toronto. That said, there is a very good chance he will suit up in one of the Senators' games next weekend against either the Flyers on Saturday or the Bruins on Sunday.

Erik Karlsson has completely recovered from his Achilles' tendon injury, according to Senators GM Bryan Murray, but he's not ready to play yet. Karlsson still needs to get back into game shape. Still, the fact that he's looking like a viable option for the playoffs is a remarkable achievement.

Ottawa GM Bryan Murray has brought up the possibility of Erik Karlsson resuming practices next week. "Actually, we had a meeting (Tuesday) and talked a little bit," Murray said. "And I suggested maybe next week, if he feels that he's close enough to go out and spend 15 minutes at the early part of practice with the team, that would be a good thing for him and obviously a little motivation for the group." He added that Karlsson will have the final say when he'll return once he gets the green light from the doctors. Unfortunately, an exact timeline for all of that to happen is unclear especially given the severity of the injury. Achilles tendon injuries often require six months of rehab and it's only been two since Karlsson was injured against Pittsburgh. It would be pretty miraculous if he was able to come back during the playoffs, but it looks the team's front office is beaming with the possibility.