Erik Karlssonsent a clear message despite another tough night for thePittsburgh Penguins. The veteran defenseman refused to panic after a 6-2 loss to theColorado Avalancheon Tuesday.
Speaking after the game, Karlsson said the scoreline did not reflect the team's effort. He admitted the Penguins fell short but stressed they competed against one of the league's top teams.
"I don't really think the score really reflected how we felt throughout the game,"Karlsson said, via NHL.com. "I don't think we played bad today. Obviously, we didn't play good enough to win either. We played one of the best teams in the League, if not the best team. That just showed today."
Colorado took control early and never looked back. Martin Necas scored twice, while Nathan MacKinnon added hisNHL-leading 46th goal. The Avalanche struck three times in under two minutes late in the first period to break the game open. Pittsburgh could not recover from that burst.
Egor Chinakov and Rickard Rakell scored for the Penguins, but their push lacked consistency. Goaltender Arturs Silovs faced heavy pressure and finished with 23 saves. The absence of Evgeni Malkin also hurt their attack and depth.
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Karlsson continues to play a major role this season. He leads Penguins defensemen with 54 points and drives play from the blue line. His offensive vision remains sharp, especially on the power play. However, defensive lapses have appeared more often in losses.
The Penguins still hold a strong position in the standings with a 35-20-16 record. Their offense averages over three goals per game, supported by reliable special teams. Still, recent defeats have tightened the playoff race.
Karlsson's comments reflect a team trying to stay steady under pressure. The Penguins now turn their focus to Ottawa, aiming to respond quickly and regain momentum.
Related: Penguins Announce Evgeni Malkin Injury Update Before Avalanche Game
This story was originally published byAthlon Sportson Mar 25, 2026, where it first appeared in theNHLsection. Add Athlon Sports as aPreferred Source by clicking here.