The Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the New Jersey Devils 5-2 to clinch a playoff spot with three games left in the regular season. Bryan Rust scored an early lead goal for Pittsburgh, but Paul Cotter of New Jersey tied the game. Tommy Novak regained the lead for Pittsburgh in the second period, and Yegor Chinakhov extended it nine seconds later. Pittsburgh sealed the game in the third period, with Erik Karlsson scoring a goal into an empty net with three minutes left.
Erik Karlsson's goal was his 15th of the season, shot from his own zone. According to Sportbladet, Erik Karlsson described the goal as good marksmanship, adding he hasn't made many like that over the years. Official sources report Karlsson has 66 points in 74 games this season.
We deserve this. I think we've had a really stable season.
According to major media reports, Erik Karlsson last played in the playoffs in the 2019 conference finals with the San Jose Sharks. According to SVT Sport, Erik Karlsson described it as far too long since he was in the playoffs. According to Sportbladet, he expressed similar sentiments, describing the return as great. He added, according to Sportbladet, that it will be incredibly fun, noting the team is well-balanced and comfortable with their playing style.
Reflecting on the season, according to Sportbladet, Erik Karlsson described Pittsburgh as deserving a playoff spot with a really stable season, having only a small dip in December but otherwise improving as it progressed. On his personal form, according to Sportbladet, he said it took a while to get going after the Olympic break, but now he has and hopes it can continue.
Yes, it's far too long since I was in the playoffs. Fuck.
Playoff implications remain uncertain, with Pittsburgh's first-round opponent yet to be determined. Major media reports suggest the Penguins will finish second in the Metropolitan Division and have home-ice advantage in the first round, but this is not confirmed.
The Pittsburgh roster includes a Swedish connection, with Rikard Rakell and Elmer Söderblom also playing for the team, according to official sources.
It's fucking great.
Fabian Zetterlund reacted to the win, with Sportbladet reporting he described it as fun to get some reward, but emphasized the two points for the team are the really nice ones.
Game details such as exact attendance, specific injuries or lineup changes, goalkeeper saves, and detailed Eastern Conference wild card standings after this game are unknown.
Yes, it's far too long since I was in the playoffs. Fuck, he says when we talk to him after the clinching victory in Newark.
But now we're back and it's fucking great.
We deserve this. I think we've had a really stable season. We had a small dip in December, that was the only thing. Otherwise, we've held on really well and only gotten better the longer the season has gone.
It took a while to get going, but now I have and it's just to hope that it can hold up, he continues.
It will be incredibly fun. I think we have a well-balanced team and we feel comfortable with how we play and how we know we will need to play going forward. It's just good feelings now, states Erik.
Yes, hehe, it was good marksmanship. I haven't made many over the years, so I'll take that.
Fun, of course, to get some reward, but it's the two points for the team that are the really, really nice ones, he says.