IN GOOD SHAPE FOR PLAYOFFS
Karlsson leads team in ice time, assists on both goals in first game in 10 weeks
Star Erik Karlsson says he’s feeling fine with the Senators closing out the regular season this weekend and gearing up
for the postseason.
Aday after his miraculous return, the Boy Wonder reported for duty.
In the eyes of his growing legions of fans, Erik Karlsson practically floated on air in his first game back, helping set up the only two goals the Senators would need in a 2-1 overtime victory against Washington that punched Ottawa’s ticket to the playoffs.
Other than slight frustration over rust-induced flaws that only he really noticed, Karlsson was none the worse for 27 minutes of ice time in a 61-minute hockey game.
“I was a bit more tired than I’m used to, but overall I feel pretty good,” the 22-year-old said, after Friday’s practice at Scotiabank Place. There was no day-after pain, added Karlsson.
“I woke up this morning and felt like I always do,” Karlsson said. “So, I have no concerns it’s going to be any worse going forward.”
Karlsson’s presence at practice was a pleasant surprise for head coach Paul MacLean, who thought his superstar defenceman might need a day to recover from his first game since surgery 10 weeks ago.
What else is new, Karlsson showing up when least expected?
While fans and media speculate about the healing powers of a player that was supposed to be out of action for four to six months, Karlsson only sees the player he was 10 weeks ago, and wants to be that guy again as quickly as possible. Exactly what frustrated him about his play, he didn’t say, but there were moments when he seemed to have slight difficulty pushing off the injured foot in a defensive posture.
By the end of the game, though, after eating up minutes in the third period, Karlsson looked as though he’d scarcely been gone.
“I’ve been away for quite some time,” Karlsson said. “I’m not 100 per cent comfortable out there in all situations. Hopefully I’ll be more comfortable (Saturday) and the game after that.”
Asked if Karlsson’s return was worth the wait, MacLean said: “I enjoyed it. He’s a special player obviously, evidenced by the way he played (Thursday). The difference he makes in our team is significant.”
Karlsson will play against Philadelphia Saturday, as the Senators look to finish as high in the standings as possible, but a decision on his participation Sunday in Boston won’t be made until after the Flyers game.
MacLean wants to rest some players Sunday and give some of his depth players some game action prior to the playoffs. That includes goaltender Robin Lehner, who will likely start against the Bruins.
In a strange way, an Achilles injury isn’t the worst case scenario for a hockey player, who doesn’t have to leap out of his sneakers to dunk a basket. Karlsson admits skating is sometimes easier than walking.
“If I’m walking on regular floors, it’s fine but steps or stairs are not as comfortable as skating,” Karlsson says. He hopes he can be skating along with his Senators teammates for weeks to come.
What a transition — from 10 weeks on the outside as a rehabilitating player, to the heart of the action, sliding a pass over to Sergei Gonchar for the win that clinched a playoff berth for an Ottawa team that has overcome enormous injury issues.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been a part of that kind of feeling, when that last shot went in,” Karlsson said. “It makes you feel better when you wake up — today was a really good morning.”
Karlsson wasn’t the only one in the room who called the pending playoffs “the most exciting part of the year.” Captain Daniel Alfredsson said the Senators’ return to the post-season for the 14th time in the past 16th season “means a lot to the city and to us.”
Alfredsson was visibly excited Thursday when the Senators finally erased any doubt about qualifying.
“That’s the only reason you come back and play, is to get a chance to compete in the playoffs,” Alfredsson said. “I really liked our team coming into the season. Obviously things didn’t go exactly as we planned but we found a way to get in here.
“That was extreme happiness and relief when Gonch scored that goal.”
Alfredsson acknowledges the Senators would prefer not to finish eighth and match up against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
“They’re the one team that stands out, they’ve been the most consistent,” Alfredsson said. “Boston is a really good team as well. We’d just like to finish as high as we can and it’s in our control.”
These days, the Senators story is less about who they face and more about who’s in Ottawa’s lineup. One month ago, there was some question about the availability of several starters, including goaltender Craig Anderson, and Karlsson was not even in the picture. The Senators now believe they can challenge any team in the playoffs, especially with No. 65 back on the job.
“I would have thought that anyway,” Alfredsson said. “Putting him back in the lineup doesn’t decrease our odds exactly.”
Anderson insists he’s not surprised by Karlsson’s return.
“He’s special,” Anderson said. “He’s definitely a guy that has the determination and willpower to do anything.
“He will continue to improve. (Thursday night) was just the tip of the iceberg.”