THIS Is Why Erik Karlsson Is The Norris Trophy Winner

Erik Karlsson is the defending Norris Trophy winner as the league’s best defenseman.  His goal on Thursday against the Florida Panthers demonstrates why.  His unique talent and crazy anticpation occasionally gets him in trouble, but more often than not he has the speed to recover from mistakes he does make.

Jan 24, 2013; Sunrise, FL, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) reacts to scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers during the second period at the BB

But, I give you the game winning goal from last night against the Florida Panthers.  Name one other defenseman in the league who can make this play at the blue line, be at almost full speed while going sideways waiting for teammates to get onside, and then accelerating in a totally different direction to beat a (granted, lazy) backchecker and put a top shelf shot while off balance and being veered off the other direction by a defenseman coming across to take away the lane to the net.

I rest my case.