Erik Karlsson's San Jose Sharks are at the bottom of the Western Conference, among other things, getting rid of Swiss star Timo Meier on the final day of transfers in late February.
Since then, the Sharks have had a really tough time, losing eleven of twelve games – but Erik Karlsson has continued to deliver despite that.
Last night, the Swedish star quarterback scored twice as San Jose managed to get a point in the away meeting with Edmonton. His first, which meant a 3–2 lead for the Sharks, was really neat. Karlsson was first served a free throw by teammate Fabian Zetterlund and then he spun up Edmonton goalie Jack Campbell solidly before putting the puck into the open cage.
Thanks to the two goals, he's now up to 22 cones this season, which is his best regular-season record ever. In total, he has scored 87 points, which is two more than Victor Hedman's record for Swedish defensemen set last year, and then we should remember that there are eleven regular season rounds remaining.
Edmonton's Swedish star quarterback Mattias Ekholm was also the two-goal scorer in the game and the second goal was as beautiful as it was important. With just under four minutes left to play of the third period, he took the game to extra time with a well-placed slap shot into the crossbar.
The match was won by Edmonton 5–4 after Darnell Nurse decided the match.