This article is part of our The Daily Puck series.
Around the Rink
In today's NHL, an elite goaltender is unquestionably more valuable to his team than any other player. As far as skaters go, I don't think there is a player more valuable to his team than Ottawa defenseman Erik Karlsson.
Karlsson is a two-time Norris Trophy winner (2012, 2015) and has hit the 70-point plateau twice in his seven-year career, but in the last two seasons, Karlsson's game has reached another level. He is third in average time on ice this season, as he was last, while scoring a mind-boggling 32 points in 26 games (fourth overall, first among defenseman). Karlsson has failed to score in eight games this season, meaning he can be counted on to produce at least a point 69.2% of the times he suits up.
It is widely known that Karlsson is one of, if not the fastest skater in the league. Even if this fact rings true, it isn't what makes him a generational player, it's his ability to maintain possession at such high speeds. Because of this threat, opposing teams must close down quickly on Karlsson, which often leaves his teammates open in the neutral zone, who are able to make the quick transition from offense to defense after Karlsson puts it on their tape. After making the pass, Karlsson's speed allows him to catch up to the play and create a potential 4-on-3 when joining the attack.
In recent years, Karlsson's play in his own zone has been repeatedly criticized. What those critics fail to realize is that though Karlsson may not be a shutdown defenseman of Zdeno Chara or Ryan McDonagh's ilk, he is perhaps more effective defensively due to the fact that by driving possession up the ice, he doesn't have to play in his own end as much as other blueliners.
Karlsson is currently better than ever, and it is remarkable to think that at just 25 years of age, he can become even greater than he is right now. While it would be an overstatement to compare Karlsson's impact on today's game to that of Bobby Orr's impact in 60s and 70s, the Swedish defenseman will certainly be a player who transcends the era he plays in.
Projected Goalie Starters (all times Eastern)
Coyotes (Anders Lindback) vs. Hurricanes (Cam Ward), 5:00 PM
Jets (Michael Hutchinson) vs. Blackhawks (Corey Crawford), 5:00 PM
Panthers (Roberto Luongo) vs. Devils (Cory Schneider), 7:00 PM
Senators (Craig Anderson) vs. Rangers (Henrik Lundqvist), 7:00 PM
Sabres (Chad Johnson) vs. Oilers (Anders Nilsson), 8:00 PM
Penguins (Jeff Zatkoff) vs. Ducks (John Gibson), 8:00 PM
Lightning (Andrei Vasilevskiy) vs. Kings (Jonathan Quick), 10:00 PM
For updates on the projected goalies later in the day, check out our Projected Goalies Grid.
Injury News for Teams Playing Sunday
Arizona Coyotes
Shane Doan, RW (lower body) - placed on injured reserve Sunday
Joe Vitale, C (face) - slated to return within the next three weeks
Carolina Hurricanes
Nathan Gerbe, LW (lower body) - could return before the new year
James Wisniewski, D (knee) - a chance he could play before the end of 2015-16
Winnipeg Jets
Grant Clitsome, D (back) - will miss the entirety of this season
Ondrej Pavelec, G (knee) - out until January or February
Chicago Blackhawks
No current injuries
Florida Panthers
Nick Bjugstad, C (upper body) - a possibility for Sunday
Alex Petrovic, D (foot) - yet to resume skating
New Jersey Devils
Tuomo Ruutu, LW (foot) - will miss at least another week
Jiri Tlusty, LW (shoulder) - remains without a timetable for his return
Travis Zajac, C (upper body) - out Sunday, to be reevaluated Monday
Ottawa Senators
Andrew Hammond, G (concussion) - status remains week-to-week
Clarke MacArthur, LW (concussion) - not close to returning
Milan Michalek, LW (fingers) - out indefinitely
Chris Phillips, D (back) - likely out until 2016
Kyle Turris, C (leg) - game-time decision for Sunday
New York Rangers
Kevin Klein, D (oblique) - out an additional one-to-two weeks
Derek Stepan, C (ribs) - will return in January at the earliest
Buffalo Sabres
Tyler Ennis, LW (upper body) - listed as week-to-week
Robin Lehner, G (ankle) - ditched his walking boot Thursday
Cody McCormick, C (illness) - out indefinitely with blood clots
Mark Pysyk, D (lower body) - status is week-to-week, though he has been skating since November 30
Edmonton Oilers
Brandon Davidson, D (undisclosed) - could return Sunday
Jordan Eberle, RW (foot) - expected to suit up Sunday
Andrew Ference, D (undisclosed) - placed on injured reserve Saturday
Rob Klinkhammer, LW (lower body) - began skating Wednesday
Connor McDavid, C (shoulder) - could return as early as mid-January
Benoit Pouliot, LW (lower body) - eligible to return Wednesday
Nail Yakupov, RW (ankle) - could potentially return within a week
Pittsburgh Penguins
Kris Letang, D (undisclosed) - status for Sunday unclear
Anaheim Ducks
Frederik Andersen, G (illness) - practiced Wednesday, but remains on injured reserve
Simon Despres, D (concussion) - out indefinitely
Jiri Sekac, RW (foot) - has skated for the past week
Tampa Bay Lightning
Tyler Johnson, C (undisclosed) - yet to resume skating
Ondrej Palat, LW (lower body) - has been a full-participant in practice since Tuesday
Cedric Paquette, C (upper body) - return seems imminent
Los Angeles Kings
Matt Greene, D (upper body) - out indefinitely after undergoing surgery Thursday
Dwight King, LW (foot) - estimated to miss two more weeks
Trevor Lewis, C (undisclosed) - status is unclear for Sunday after missing Saturday's tilt
Hot
Mike Hoffman, LW, OTT - "Hot" is not a term that does justice to the current tear that Hoffman is on. The former fifth-round pick proved his worth during his first full season last year, scoring 27 goals, but he is playing at an extra-terrestrial levels right now. Hoffman's season totals of 14 goals and 12 assists in 22 games are impressive in themselves, but the sniper has a ridiculous nine goals and 12 points in his last seven.
Andrew Ladd, LW , WPG - The Winnipeg captain went without a goal in the eight contests taking place from November 7 to November 23, while registering just four assists and 12 shots on goal during this period. In the five games since, Ladd has potted four goals and five points on 20 shots on goal. The former Blackhawk's goals haven't been cheapies either, including going bar-down in back-to-back games. When a player is scoring goals like that, his confidence has to be flying sky-high.
Cold
Matt Moulson, LW, BUF - The Cornell product's three-consecutive seasons of scoring 30-plus goals have now been proven to be a direct result of playing with John Tavares on Long Island. Since being traded from the Islanders in the 2013-14 season, Moulson has scored 34 goals in 167 games. While Moulson has three assists from his last four contests, he hasn't scored a goal since November 1, a span of 15 games. With just four goals at this point in the season, Moulson is on pace to finish with 12 markers in 2015-16.
Recommended Pickup
John Gibson, G, ANA - The Pittsburgh native will look to keep rolling as he takes on his hometown team Sunday. Since being recalled on November 24, Gibson has started six-straight while posting a 1.55 goals-against average and .942 save percentage, including two shutouts. Despite a plethora of weapons, head coach Mike Johnston's system has stifled the Penguins' offensive output this season, sitting at 25th in the league in scoring as a result. Expect the hot goalie to get the better of the anemic offense in Sunday's matchup.
