Erik Karlsson Returning to Senators Lineup Thursday Just 10 Weeks After Achilles Injury

The original diagnosis on Erik Karlsson‘s Achilles injury was that the Ottawa Senators defenseman would be out 4-to-6 months. It turns out, however, that he only needed two and a half.

Ottawa head coach Paul MacLean told reporters following Thursday’s morning skate that Karlsson will indeed be in the lineup Thursday night when the Sens take on the Washington Capitals.

Karlsson suffered the injury on Feb. 13 when Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Cooke cut Karlsson’s leg with a skate going for a check in the corner. The play sliced Karlsson’s Achilles, and it appeared to have ended his season. However, with the Senators in position to make the playoffs, the reigning Norris Trophy winner was able to work himself back into shape and was skating and practicing recently. He took morning skate Thursday, and led the team in its post-practice stretch.

As one might imagine, Karlsson is pretty excited about being back, too.

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