Sharks head coach David Quinn suggests that more Norris Trophies are in Erik Karlsson’s future after the defenseman’s four-point effort in Thursday’s 5-2 win vs. the Wild.
- Editor's Note: Sheng Peng will be a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.
What sets Erik Karlsson apart from other good-to-great players?
Karlsson was performing at such a high level in the Sharks’ 5-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild at SAP Center on Thursday night, that you could see it even apart from his one goal and three primary assists.
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With San Jose up 2-1 midway through the second period, Mason Shaw kneed Evgeny Svechnikov. Shaw was ejected from the game and San Jose received a five-minute major power play. Emotions, however, clearly were running high because Svechnikov had to leave the game, and it was Shaw more than a month ago who had got away with a headshot on Radim Simek.
Just 33 seconds into the major, Timo Meier scored, firing up the Sharks maybe a little too much, judging by the top power play unit’s next shift.
There’s Alexander Barabanov (94) trying to bust the puck through double penalty kill coverage (00:01) and Meier (28) forcing a pass (00:45) through Jordan Greenway (18) guarding the middle.
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There’s Meier going behind Karlsson (65) on the flank-to-flank pass (1:19).
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And then, there’s the contrast of Karlsson returning the pass tape to tape.
Now this isn’t a criticism of the other Sharks.