{ "blocks": [ { "type": "video", "data": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/OUkBwazU.mp4", "streached": true, "controls": true, "caption": "Noel Acciari discusses how the Pittsburgh Penguins managed to protect a one-goal lead in the third period against the Toronto Maple Leafs.", "image": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/OUkBwazU-poster.jpg" }, "cdn": { "service": "jwplayer", "playlistUrl": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/OUkBwazU.m3u8", "sources": [ { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/OUkBwazU.m3u8", "type": "application/vnd.apple.mpegurl" }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/OUkBwazU-PleLi0gz.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 182, "width": 320, "label": "180p", "bitrate": 338387, "filesize": 5583386, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/OUkBwazU-TPyFHjSz.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 272, "width": 480, "label": "270p", "bitrate": 482145, "filesize": 7955400, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/OUkBwazU-j3UGax3n.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 724, "width": 1280, "label": "720p", "bitrate": 1311989, "filesize": 21647830, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/OUkBwazU-KwtrUhfG.m4a", "type": "audio/mp4", "label": "AAC Audio", "bitrate": 113989, "filesize": 1880826 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/OUkBwazU-hoWDbBur.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 362, "width": 640, "label": "360p", "bitrate": 509691, "filesize": 8409913, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/OUkBwazU-TcGp53GP.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 544, "width": 960, "label": "540p", "bitrate": 839448, "filesize": 13850894, "framerate": 30 } ] } } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "When Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins pulled off the trade of the summer by acquiring three-time Norris Trophy winning defenseman Erik Karlsson, plenty of questions and criticisms followed." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Following the trade, there was genuine belief the Penguins were getting a regressing offensive defenseman who will not only decline in scoring, but won’t bring the same defensive game he used to." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "After a quarter of the 2023-24 season, it’s safe to say those doubters have been proven wrong." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "It took some time for Karlsson to get rolling, but in 20 games Karlsson has scored six goals and picked up 12 assists for 18 points; that’s tied for third on the Penguins in scoring." } }, { "id": "m8j0lxis-my90ci3j", "type": "embed", "data": { "service": "twitter", "source": "https://twitter.com/penguins/status/1728593522029130047", "embed": "https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?id=1728593522029130047", "caption": "" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "People firmly believed Karlsson would ‘regress,’ but that was expected as a technicality; Karlsson is coming off of a historic 101-point season." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "A defenseman recording 100 points or more has only happened a handful of times and this was the first time since the early 1990s." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Obviously, he likely won’t be able to hit that mark again in his career, but even his slowest offensive seasons are better than Kris Letang has ever put up scoring wise." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "As for Karlsson’s defensive game, well, he’s been much better than anticipated." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "If you keep a close eye on the way he played in his own zone, you’ll see that he utilizes all of his strengths to be a defensive force on opposing teams." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Head coach Mike Sullivan stated that the team was working on adding to his defensive ability early in the season, and it’s paying off." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Karlsson is able to utilize his speed to force quick decisions from attackers and his good stick/hand-eye are disrupting passes at an outstanding rate; for context, he leads all Penguins defensemen in takeaways with 12." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "There may have been some risk associated in taking Karlsson, his contract is still massive sitting at $10 million against the Penguins salary cap, but he’s played extremely well and is exceeding expectations already." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT0_DDYCtLo[/embed]" } }, { "id": "w9fl2gxn-5zz9seev", "type": "embed", "data": { "service": "playlist.megaphone.fm", "source": "https://playlist.megaphone.fm/?e=STRAB2078806086", "embed": "https://playlist.megaphone.fm/?e=STRAB2078806086", "caption": "", "height": "200", "width": "100%" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Tristan Jarry Emerging as Top Goalie for Penguins" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "GAME RECAP: Penguins Fend Off Maple Leafs Surge To Win 3-2" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "New Faces Helping Improve Penguins Depth" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Penguins Power Play Continues Skid, Need Changes in Strategy" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "THN Archive: Penguins Perfect Problem" } }, { "type": "list", "data": { "style": "unordered", "items": [ "Subscribe to Inside the Penguins on YouTube", "Follow Inside the Penguins on Twitter: @InsidePenguins" ] } } ] }

Erik Karlsson as Good as Advertised for Penguins