Minus three Top 6 forwards, the Senators needed someone to step up large Tuesday night in New Jersey.
To no real surprise, that somebody turned out to be Erik Karlsson.
Given the circumstances, the Senators captain had his best game of the season in the 2-1 win over the Devils.
He was exceptional in his own zone with a team-leading four blocked shots, two takeaways and a number of smart, discreet plays. He was outstanding on breakouts, on one dash up ice in particular he out skated everybody in Devils red like he had been shot out of a cannon.