Senators beaten by Penguins, lose Karlsson to injury

PITTSBURGH: The Ottawa Senators lost a lot more than a game, as star defenseman Erik Karlsson went down with a left Achilles injury when he was cut by a skate blade in their 4-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL on Wednesday.
“It’s a tough blow,” Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson said. “Obviously, the way he’s playing and how much he means to our team, it feels terrible and I feel really bad for him.” The Norris Trophy winner last season as the NHL’s top defenseman, Karlsson was cut by Penguins forward Matt Cooke’s skate blade as the two tangled along the boards. The Senators said Karlsson will need surgery.
“We all know who’s involved in it,” Ottawa coach Paul MacLean said about Cooke. “That’s just the way it is. The injury to Erik was unfortunate and it happens on a nothing play that could’ve potentially been whistled down.” Cooke has been suspended several times for much criticized hits, some of them involving head-shots that injured opposing players. In 2011, Cooke was suspended for the Penguins’ final 10 regular-season games and the first round of the playoffs after an elbow to the head of New York Rangers’ defenseman Ryan McDonagh.
Karlsson fell to the ice and was in visible pain after tangling with Cooke. He needed help getting back to the bench and displayed frustration, throwing his stick against the boards before disappearing down the runway.
“Him and I were engaged and he went down screaming,” Cooke said. “I didn’t even know what happened. It’s a complete accident and obviously I feel terrible about it. It has happened a few times over the past couple of years and it’s scary.” The Senators stood up for their teammate in the third as Chris Neil took penalties for roughing and a 10-minute misconduct after tussling with Cooke.
In Detroit, Alexander Steen stuffed in a rebound 52 seconds into overtime for St. Louis to beat the Red Wings 4-3 and end a five-game losing streak that followed a 6-1 start.
The Red Wings had won a season-high three straight, and beaten the Blues four games in a row at home. Detroit blew a two-goal lead in the first period and chances to win in the third period on a pair of power plays.
St. Louis goalie Jake Allen, making his first NHL start in his second game in the league, made 15 saves.
Mike Cammalleri had three goals and an assist in his return from a hip injury to lead Calgary past visiting Dallas 7-4. After missing the last three games because of a hip flexor, Cammalleri scored his first three goals of the season to reach 200 for his career.