Erik Karlsson D PIT Tue 2/12/13 10:15 PM
Erik Karlsson
D PIT
Erik Karlsson scored the first shorthanded goal of his career and it held up as the game-winning tally in Ottawa's 2-0 victory against Buffalo.
The offensive dynamo fired nine shots at Ryan Miller in the contest. Karlsson was the NHL's shot leader going into the night with a jaw-dropping total of 53 in only 12 games. He also logged over 27 minutes versus Buffalo. He just does it all and is the best defenseman to own in fantasy hockey. Erik Condra had Ottawa's other goal in the match.
Erik Karlsson D PIT Thu 2/7/13 9:10 AM
Erik Karlsson
D PIT
Erik Karlsson has topped 30 minutes of ice time in each of his last two games.
He played 32:08 against Montreal on Sunday and he spent 31:15 on the ice during Tuesday's game versus Buffalo. Karlsson is currently third in the league in average ice time per contest at 28:17. The mobile defenseman has been leaned on heavily 10 games into the 2013 season and he has responded with four goals, four assists, 39 shots and a plus-5 rating. Karlsson said he feels great but the Senators may want to make sure they don't tire him out as the campaign progresses.
Erik Karlsson D PIT Tue 2/5/13 11:01 PM
Erik Karlsson
D PIT
Erik Karlsson netted his fourth goal of the season in a 4-3 win over Buffalo Tuesday night.
Karlsson is the clear top dog among NHL blue liners in terms of fantasy value and his eight points in 10 games have him nearly matching his exceptional pace of last season. Daniel Alfredsson, Chris Neil and Chris Phillips also recorded markers in the winning effort.
Erik Karlsson D PIT Fri 2/1/13 9:48 PM
Erik Karlsson
D PIT
Erik Karlsson had four shots on goal in Ottawa's 1-0 loss to the Hurricanes on Friday night.
The defenseman also was a minus-one and had two penalty minutes, while playing a game-high 29:03. It was a rare off game for the stud blueliner who has seven points on the year.
Erik Karlsson D PIT Fri 1/25/13 5:22 AM
Erik Karlsson
D PIT
Erik Karlsson scored a goal Thursday as the Senators cruised to a 3-1 win over Florida.
With his play early on, Karlsson is proving why he was the Norris Trophy winner last season and why he's the odds-on favorite to lead all defensemen in scoring and perhaps take the award home again this year. Jason Spezza also found the back of the net for the first time this season in the win, as did veteran Chris Phillips. Marc Methot picked up a pair of assists.
Erik Karlsson D PIT Mon 1/21/13 9:54 AM
Erik Karlsson
D PIT
Erik Karlsson didn't feel comfortable in Ottawa's season opener, but you would have never known by looking at the scoresheet.
Karlsson had a goal and two assists in Saturday's 4-1 win over Winnipeg. "Hopefully, I'll feel way better (Monday) and try to get better as we go along," Karlsson said. "The puck wasn't really my best friend, obviously. That's the way it is sometimes. Obviously, I need to work on a few things to get the motion back, and just the flow in the game. Hopefully it won't be an issue." Senators coach Paul MacLean echoed Karlsson's assessment and said that he didn't think the Norris Trophy winning defenseman played particularly well. Either way, Karlsson should be one of the top fantasy blueliners this season.
Erik Karlsson D PIT Sat 1/19/13 6:11 PM
Erik Karlsson
D PIT
Erik Karlsson had a goal and an assist in Ottawa's 4-1 win against Winnipeg on Saturday.
There's a good chance that Karlsson will end up leading all defensemen in points htis season. Jason Spezza, Chris Neil, and Kyle Turris accounted for Ottawa's other three goals.
Erik Karlsson D PIT Thu 1/10/13 10:32 AM
Erik Karlsson
D PIT
Erik Karlsson thinks it might take a little time to get used to playing on the smaller ice surface again following his lockout stint with Jokerit in Finland.
"Maybe I will be in some of the hits of the week ... not the ones that I give, but the ones that I take," he said, with a laugh. "I should be accustomed to it, I've played here for three years. It's nice to be back and you want to get going as soon as possible. You try to get back to the routines you had when you left. When the season starts, it's go time and everybody's got to be prepared and ready to go." Karlsson was excellent in the SM-lliga, while netting nine goals and posting 34 points in 30 games. He was the top offensive defenseman in the league last year and stands a good chance to lead all rearguards in scoring again in the shortened season.
Erik Karlsson D PIT Sat 12/29/12 1:10 PM
Erik Karlsson
D PIT
Erik Karlsson had a goal and four assists in Jokerit's 8-1 victory on IFK Helsinki.
Karlsson has nine goals and 34 points in 30 SM-liiga games this season. This was his final game with Jokerit before his contract ended. Karlsson is expected to wait and see what the fate of the NHL season is before making his next move.
Erik Karlsson D PIT Thu 12/27/12 1:19 PM
Erik Karlsson
D PIT
Erik Karlsson has ended his tenure with Jokerit Helsinki of the SM-liiga.
Karlsson allowed his monthly contract with the team to expire without renewal so that he could return to his native Sweden. "Erik was excellent, we were very happy and it was a pleasure having him," Jokerit GM Jarmo Kekalainen said. "He will be missed. Good player and a great guy." With the NHL lockout threatening to cancel the season in mere weeks if it doesn't end soon, Karlsson will probably wait to see what happens with that situation before deciding his next move. He had seven goals and 27 points in 28 Finnish games.