Erik Karlsson is playing like the superstar the Penguins always expected him to be

When the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired defenseman Erik Karlsson before the start of the 2023-24 season, they were doing so with the intention of him providing another superstar presence that could help them compete for another championship before Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin retire. It did not initially work out as planned through the first two seasons. 

Even though Karlsson was solid and mostly productive, his play was not quite on the superstar level he had demonstrated throughout his career. It was good, but underwhelming. The Penguins also missed the playoffs each year and seemed to have their window for contention close. 

Now that they are entering the stretch run of the 2025-26 season and very much in the Stanley Cup playoff race, Karlsson is finally playing like the superstar the Penguins hoped he would be for them. It is also perfectly timed.

Erik Karlsson is the Pittsburgh Penguins' MVP this season

Karlsson played another huge role in the Penguins' massive 4-3 shootout win against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night, scoring a goal and added two assists to continue what has been a great season and an even better month of March. 

With his three points on Thursday he is up to 12 goals, 45 assists and 57 total points for the season. Since returning from the Olympic break at the end of February he has 22 points in 15 games, and has consistently been their best play-driver in terms of possession and scoring chances. 

He is simply playing at a Hall of Fame level (which is fitting, since he is a future Hall of Famer) and giving the Penguins exactly what they needed and expected from him.

What makes it even more meaningful for the Penguins is that their lack of depth on defense has been a major concern from the very start of the season. He is not only playing the biggest minutes, he is excelling in them and carrying the entire defense. 

It is even more important when you consider the injury situation the Penguins have been dealing with over the past month. They have rarely had Crosby and Malkin since the return from the Olympics, with Crosby missing 11 games due to an injury that he suffered at the Olympics and Malkin missing five games due to a suspension.

Even after both players briefly returned, the Penguins lost both of them again. Malkin is currently sidelined due to an injury he suffered on Sunday, while Crosby had to leave Thursday's game with an undisclosed injury. Without those two in the lineup they have needed somebody to step and carry the team. Karlsson has more than done it. It has also come at a time when the Penguins have been playing the most difficult and most daunting part of their schedule. 

Karlsson is one of the biggest reasons they have gotten through it and maintained their spot in a playoff position. That is what makes him their team MVP this season. They expected him to be a superstar. He is playing like it.