Erik Karlsson posts three points in Penguins loss to Canadiens

Fantasy hockey: Karlsson had one goal and two assists on four shots in 23:37 Saturday. The burst stands out, but treat it as one game against his recent…

By Fantasy Roundup Staff · November 1, 2026 · Updated November 1, 2026

Erik Karlsson posted one goal and two assists on four shots over 23:37 in Pittsburgh's 5-4 loss to Montreal on Saturday, October 31. The power-play goal helped him to a plus-1 rating despite the defeat.

The three-point night stands well above his recent averages of 0.78 points per game and 2.3 shots per game, but the shot and ice time totals matched his usual workload. His underlying play grades 91 out of 100 among defensemen, a read on how sustainable his scoring is.

Fantasy impact

Player by player

Erik Karlsson

Karlsson delivered the points without more shots or minutes than usual, which makes the outing a welcome spike rather than a sign of changing usage. He averages 0.16 goals and 0.62 assists per game, along with 0.29 power-play points per game over a 227-game sample. The four shots matched his 2.3 per game average, and his 23:37 ice time sat just two seconds above his 23:35 nightly average.

His process grade of 91 out of 100 reflects elite shot volume, scoring chances and ice time, which keeps him valuable even when the points come in bunches. He runs the second power-play unit for Pittsburgh and logs 3:16 per game with the man advantage, second among all Penguins skaters. The Penguins have three games left this week, on Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday.

What to do

• Keep Karlsson rostered in all formats as a defenseman whose underlying play supports his scoring averages.

• Expect regression toward 0.78 points per game after the three-point spike, but his process grade suggests the scoring will continue.

• Count on consistent ice time around 23:35 per game and power-play deployment on the second unit across Pittsburgh's three remaining games this week.

Schedule this week