Detroit Red Wings

The Daily: Karlsson Greatness Overdue With Pens; Kostin Tonight?

Published

2 months ago

February 13, 2024

When you look at Erik Karlsson’s statistics, you see a player with numbers befitting a talented defenseman. Karlsson has seven goals, 37 points and a +10 plus-minus.

But Pittsburgh Hockey Now’s Dan Kingerski writes it’s time for Karlsson to let loose and be the difference-maker the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired last summer.

Karlsson has not been the dynamic presence he was last season when he registered 101 points and was making things happen on a nightly basis for San Jose. It was anticipated that Karlsson would give the Penguins a feared power play. Instead, the Penguins own a power ranked 30th overall. Last week, coach Mike Sullivan reconfigured his power play units, moving Karlsson to the second unit.

There were signs of the old Karlsson in a 2-1 loss to Winnipeg. Karlsson was carrying the puck with authority, taking charge. But the Penguins will need much more from Karlsson to climb back in the Eastern Conference playoff race. That makes the Karlsson issue of importance to the Detroit Red Wings who own one of the wild card spots.

“In a season in which the Penguins are searching for difference-makers beyond Crosby and his constant linemate Jake Guentzel,” Kingerski wrote, “Karlsson’s emergence can’t happen soon enough.”

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