The world’s best Karlsson is back.
After a few leaden years, Erik Karlsson is playing the hockey of his life.
Last night he struck with three goals – and now he tops the entire league in scoring for defenders.
Laughed at, mocked, injured and condemned as the end. Erik Karlsson has not had it easy since the move from the San Jose Sharks, and many were quite sure that we will never see the Swede at the level he played during the years in the Ottawa Senators.
New success
For a few years he was the world’s best defender. He flew up the court, skated like no one else, scored the most points of all the skaters, and carried his team on his shoulders. But this season, NHL fans have been watching Karlsson with wide eyes, and last night the Swede just made everyone gape with a completely unimaginable show.
Before tonight’s meeting against the Anaheim Ducks, Erik Karlsson was second in the backs’ scoring – only behind Rasmus Dahlin – but after just one period, the Sharks back was over. Karlsson scored two goals in a span of 23 seconds in the first period, and in the third period it was time again. Karlsson stayed in front and scored the goal that meant 5-5 and a hat trick.
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Incredible numbers
Erik Karlsson had also been noted for an assist in the match, and his four points last night means that he has scored a total of 15 points in twelve games. His nine goals also mean that only one player in the league – Connor McDavid – has scored more goals. He also became only the second back in Sharks history to score a hat trick.
The San Jose Sharks had to settle for a point, as the Ducks decided in overtime, and Karlsson’s incredible showing is only made all the more impressive by the fact that the Sharks are struggling at the bottom of their division. Karlsson has scored 31 percent of the Sharks’ total goals this season, and that’s saying a lot coming from a back. The world’s best Karlsson is back.
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