After the Olympics in Italy, where the Swedish hockey team reached the quarterfinals, Erik Karlsson has shown excellent form. Since returning to the NHL, the Swedish defenseman has accounted for 17 points in twelve games, eight of them in the last three.
Against Carolina, he had two goals and one assist, but Pittsburgh still lost 5–6 in overtime. No team in the league has lost more (16) in overtime/shootouts this season.
"It sucks. We have a good enough team to be better than that," Karlsson told reporters after the game.
A positive for Pittsburgh was that star Sidney Crosby was back in the game after an injury.
"We need him," Karlsson said.
