Karlsson Quietly Anchors Penguins' Win in Los Angeles

Erik Karlsson led all Penguins skaters in ice time with a team-high 23:55 and was also first among the team's six defencemen, and he finished a plus 2 in a 5-2 win over the Kings.

His night was one assist, at even strength, with no shots on goal and four shot attempts. He blocked one shot, took the puck away once and gave it away twice, over 25 shifts. He took no penalties.

That is close to his usual workload: he averages 23.3 minutes a game this season, with 3 goals and 14 assists in 17 games. The plus 2 matters, too, because his season mark is minus 4.

For a Pittsburgh team that came in at 5-9-2, having lost three straight and with just one road win, it was a much-needed result away from home. Karlsson's part was steady rather than flashy: a lot of minutes, one helper and a clean night on the penalty sheet.