Erik Karlsson Has Adjusted into the Defenseman the Penguins Knew He Was
BY
Erik Karlsson has received some tough criticism from Penguins fans this season. Everyone is expecting him to have Norris trophy numbers as he did with the San Jose Sharks. But Karlsson is performing just as expected.
Karlsson's Game is to Play North and Create Chances, Which He Has Done
Take a look at Karlsson stats, especially recently, and see why he is doing exactly what was intended for him to do this year.
Erik Karlsson since January 2nd:
- Points in 18 of his last 21 games
- 20 points in that span
- Five-game point streak
- Leads all penguins D in chances for
- Among all D who have 396+ TOI, Karlsson has given up the least chances against.
EK65 is a Pittsburgh Penguin. pic.twitter.com/W6IA5ar1rJ ChelPenguins (@ChelPenguins) February 28, 2024
Karlsson Had a Slow Start on the Penguins, But is Adjusting to His New Team
As shown below, Karlsson did have a slower then expected start with the Penguins. But in his last 20 games he does have 2 goals and 17 assists. Let's also not forget this year he has 3 game winning goals.
Erik Karlsson during the 2023-24 season so far :
56 GP - 8 G - 35 A - 43 PTS - +10
3 GWG
In his last 20 games he has :
2 G - 17 A - 19 PTS
You don't get talents like Erik Karlsson to play shut down defense. You partner him with a shutdown defender. pic.twitter.com/qhKdI1XVIp goatzel (@guentzelscored) February 29, 2024
Sullivan Sees Karlsson has Now Adjusted to the Game in Pittsburgh
When asked but the Tribute Review about Karlsson's play, coach Mike Sullivan has said that the adjustment period seems to be over.
«He's getting more comfortable. The adjustment process has been a little bit longer than we had hoped, but we see more and more signs of him capturing his best game.»
«He's getting more comfortable," #Penguins coach Mike Sullivan says of defenseman Erik Karlsson. "The adjustment process has been a little bit longer than we had hoped, but we see more and more signs of him capturing his best game.» @BombulieTrib https://t.co/Ad2aF8bzDt Tribune-Review Sports (@TribSports) February 29, 2024
It seems that the criticism of Karlsson came a little to quickly. He is exactly what the Penguins were hoping for.
As Seen on X
POLL February 29 | 103 answersErik Karlsson Has Adjusted into the Defenseman the Penguins Knew He WasDo you think Erik Karlsson is playing to his potential?
Yes 34 33 % No 69 67 % LIST OF POLL
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Take a look at Karlsson stats, especially recently, and see why he is doing exactly what was intended for him to do this year.
Erik Karlsson since January 2nd:
- Points in 18 of his last 21 games
- 20 points in that span
- Five-game point streak
- Leads all penguins D in chances for
- Among all D who have 396+ TOI, Karlsson has given up the least chances against.
EK65 is a Pittsburgh Penguin. pic.twitter.com/W6IA5ar1rJ ChelPenguins (@ChelPenguins) February 28, 2024
Karlsson Had a Slow Start on the Penguins, But is Adjusting to His New Team
As shown below, Karlsson did have a slower then expected start with the Penguins. But in his last 20 games he does have 2 goals and 17 assists. Let's also not forget this year he has 3 game winning goals.
Erik Karlsson during the 2023-24 season so far :
56 GP - 8 G - 35 A - 43 PTS - +10
3 GWG
In his last 20 games he has :
2 G - 17 A - 19 PTS
You don't get talents like Erik Karlsson to play shut down defense. You partner him with a shutdown defender. pic.twitter.com/qhKdI1XVIp goatzel (@guentzelscored) February 29, 2024
Sullivan Sees Karlsson has Now Adjusted to the Game in Pittsburgh
When asked but the Tribute Review about Karlsson's play, coach Mike Sullivan has said that the adjustment period seems to be over.
«He's getting more comfortable," #Penguins coach Mike Sullivan says of defenseman Erik Karlsson. "The adjustment process has been a little bit longer than we had hoped, but we see more and more signs of him capturing his best game.» @BombulieTrib https://t.co/Ad2aF8bzDt Tribune-Review Sports (@TribSports) February 29, 2024
It seems that the criticism of Karlsson came a little to quickly. He is exactly what the Penguins were hoping for.
As Seen on X
| POLL | ||
February 29 | 103 answers Erik Karlsson Has Adjusted into the Defenseman the Penguins Knew He Was Do you think Erik Karlsson is playing to his potential? | ||
| Yes | 34 | 33 % |
| No | 69 | 67 % |
| LIST OF POLL | ||
| LEADERS | ||||||||
| GP | G | A | PTS | |||||
| 1- NIKITA KUCHEROV | 81 | 44 | 100 | 144 | ||||
| 2- NATHAN MACKINNON | 82 | 51 | 89 | 140 | ||||
| 3- CONNOR MCDAVID | 76 | 32 | 100 | 132 | ||||
| 4- ARTEMI PANARIN | 82 | 49 | 71 | 120 | ||||
| 5- DAVID PASTRNAK | 82 | 47 | 63 | 110 | ||||
| 6- AUSTON MATTHEWS | 81 | 69 | 38 | 107 | ||||
| 7- LEON DRAISAITL | 81 | 41 | 65 | 106 | ||||
| 8- MIKKO RANTANEN | 80 | 42 | 62 | 104 | ||||
| 9- J.T. MILLER | 81 | 37 | 66 | 103 | ||||
| 10- WILLIAM NYLANDER | 82 | 40 | 58 | 98 | ||||
| 2023-2024 LEADERS | ||||||||
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| 47 054 followers | |