New York. For the first time, Erik Karlsson became a hero in Pittsburgh last night.
He scored the deciding goal in a 3-2 win as the Penguins downed Toronto.
– Nice – Good. You have to take it, Småland’s star back tells Sportbladet.
The score at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh was 2-2 when the home team tied the game in the offensive zone at the end of the second period.
Jeff Carter won it by passing the ball to Kris Letang, who immediately passed to Erik Karlsson on the blue line. He, in turn, fired a loud, direct shot. Moments later, the three-time Norris Trophy winner’s sixth goal of the season became a reality.
– Yes, I had a good hit there, he says when we meet him in his hometown after the final whistle.
– Beautiful, of course. You take that.
“In the right direction”
The goal gave the Penguins a 3-2 lead. But the fans did not dare to exhale for this. After all, there was one period left – and the Yellow and Black had a remarkable ability to drop points and wins during the closing stages.
But in reality: this time they were able to finish the fight in the last 20 minutes and win 3-2.
-We shot ourselves in the foot several times, like what happened against Buffalo yesterday. But tonight we played smarter and did what we had to do.
– Things are moving in the right direction, we are improving. Now we have to hope we can put together some wins in a row, which would be very good.
For your part, how do you feel?
– Yes, things are going well. But you can always improve.
For the Maple Leafs, Erik’s sixth goal of the season resulted in their second straight loss in one day – also their second straight since the success they had at Globin Arena in Stockholm last weekend.
For the second straight time, William Nylander also went scoreless. However, Calle Jarnkrok arranged help.