In Return From Injury, Karlsson Helps Senators Clinch Playoff Spot Erik Karlsson could not have scripted his return any better. Karlsson had two assists as the Ottawa Senators edged the Washington Capitals, 2-1, in overtime Thursday night to clinch a playoff berth. It was Karlsson's first game since he sustained what was believed to be a season-ending Achilles" tendon injury Feb. 13. With the Senators on a power play in overtime, Karlsson sent the puck to Sergei Gonchar, who fired a shot from the top of the right face-off circle for the winner. "We came here with the goal to get the 2 points, and I think we had an O.K. game," Karlsson said, according to the Senators" Web site. We got the 2 points, and we should be happy with that. There's some things to work on, but over all this is what we came here for and we took it. Karlsson assisted on the game's opening goal when his point shot was redirected in by Jakob Silfverberg at 12 minutes 35 seconds of the second period. He now has six goals and six assists in 15 games this season. Karlsson, 22, finished with a game-high 27 shifts, 27:11 of ice time and 8 shots in the win. "I did battle with some issues out there and didn't feel quite as comfortable as I used to, but over all I think it was a solid game," he said. When you've been away for a long time and the guys that are out there are up to speed, it's just a little bit to get used to, and I'm going to have to figure that one out. Karlsson's injury occurred when Penguins forward Matt Cooke's skate cut him during a routine hit in a 4-2 Pittsburgh win. Karlsson missed 31 games during a 10-week recovery. "Nothing surprises me anymore," Senators Coach Paul MacLean said, according to the team's site. He's a very special player. To his credit, he was up and running; he's done a ton of work in his rehab to get to this point. At the time of the injury, Karlsson was expected to need four to six months of recovery time. Thursday was only the 72nd day since the injury. "I didn't get any pain through the game or anything right after," he said. The Senators will be in the playoffs for the fourth time in six years. The Rangers eliminated Ottawa in seven games in last year's Eastern Conference quarterfinals. Ottawa will host Philadelphia on Saturday before concluding the regular season in Boston on Sunday. The game against the Bruins was rescheduled from April 15, the day of the Boston Marathon bombings.