Karlsson Scores Early in Utah, but Penguins Fall 5-4
The Pittsburgh defenceman cashed in on the man advantage in the first minutes, then watched the Mammoth answer in a one-goal game.
Erik Karlsson scored 1:11 into the game on the power play, and the Penguins still lost 5-4 to Utah. He finished with a goal and an assist, both on the power play, and was minus-1.
He led all Pittsburgh skaters with 27:00 of ice time, which was also the most among the team's defencemen. He played 25 shifts and added three blocked shots and one shot on goal, which was the goal. At even strength he had no points and no shots on goal, though he did have three shot attempts. He also gave the puck away twice.
The goal was his first of the season, and it came on a night when the scoring side showed up: his season line now reads 1 goal and 10 assists for 11 points in 10 games, so this was a departure from a season built on assists.
Pittsburgh is now 3-5-1 and has lost three straight, while Utah is 6-3-0.