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Erik Karlsson calling Carolina elite confirms Penguins still chase contenders
Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
Penguins video caught Erik Karlsson staring down Carolina after a 2-1-3 night against them, and Pittsburgh's answer now hits the standings.
Karlsson did not sell a cute quote. He framed Sunday's game like a measuring stick against the Metropolitan leader, with Carolina entering 44-19-6 and Pittsburgh 35-18-16.
That matters because this is not random March noise. The winner takes the season-series edge after Pittsburgh went 1-0-2 through the first three meetings.
Karlsson's form is the real story underneath the quote. He posted 2-1-3 in the 6-5 overtime loss at Carolina on March 18, then scored twice against Winnipeg on March 21.
PensBurgh also flagged a four-game multi-point streak, which tells you this is more than one hot night. Karlsson is driving play from the blue line when Pittsburgh needs it most.
You can hear the calm, then see the edge in the post below when he talks about expecting Pittsburgh's best.
"Carolina is a top team in this league. This time of the year, those types of games are always the most fun. We're expecting ourselves to be at our best tomorrow, and looking for a good game."
- Erik Karlsson
- Erik Karlsson
Erik Karlsson pushes the Pittsburgh Penguins standard
The room knows exactly what this game says about them.
When Karlsson attacks with control, Pittsburgh exits cleaner and gets its top-six touching the puck with speed. That pulls the game away from board battles and into open ice.
That is the fit. Carolina wants layers on the forecheck, quick closes above the circles, and stress on every loose puck.
Karlsson is one of the few Penguins who can break that pressure with one pass or one cut to the middle. When he does, the man advantage and the rush game both wake up.
When he cannot, the Penguins spend the night defending in waves.
This quote lands because Karlsson is not talking about respect. He is talking about proof, and Pittsburgh needs it before the next brutal stretch with Colorado, Ottawa, Dallas, and the Islanders.
Sunday is less about talk and more about whether the Penguins can play playoff-speed hockey for a full sixty.
Also read on HockeyUnplugged :
Penguins allow 4 goals in win, exposing a roster flaw Erik Karlsson keeps masking
Penguins allow 4 goals in win, exposing a roster flaw Erik Karlsson keeps masking
| POLL | ||
MARS 22|70 ANSWERS Erik Karlsson calling Carolina elite confirms Penguins still chase contenders Did Erik Karlsson frame this Carolina game like a true playoff test? | ||
| Yes | 63 | 90 % |
| No | 7 | 10 % |
| List of polls | ||