Karlsson expects to play for Sharks against Bruins

BOSTON -- Erik Karlsson expects to play for the San Jose Sharks against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; SNE, SNO, SNP, NESN, NBCSCA, NHL.TV).

The two-time Norris Trophy-winning defenseman reaggravated a groin injury Saturday in a 4-0 loss at the Columbus Blue Jackets and didn't play in San Jose's 5-3 win at the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday.
Karlsson took part in the morning skate at TD Garden on Tuesday, when he was paired with Marc-Edouard Vlasic.
"I hope so," Karlsson said when asked about playing against the Bruins. "That's the plan."
Coach Peter DeBoer said the decision on whether to play would be Karlsson's call.
Karlsson missed nine games with a groin injury before returning on Feb. 16. But four games later it cropped up again.
However, Karlsson said he's not worried, even with a perhaps earlier-than-anticipated return.
"It feels good today," the 28-year-old said. "You don't want to risk anything long-term. I think that's the main purpose on everything at this point in the season. As of right now we don't feel like that's a concern and I feel good. Hopefully I just keep feeling better and better while I play."

Karlsson has 45 points (three goals, 42 assists) in 51 games in his first season with the Sharks, who acquired him in a trade with the Ottawa Senators on Sept. 13.
He called the moment that re-aggravated it on Saturday a "fluke incident."
"Just decided that I didn't continue because we didn't know how it was going to react," he said. "I woke up the next day and I was fine. Probably could have played in Detroit, but we decided not to. That was a good sign, a good first sign."
That allowed him to be back on the ice on Tuesday.
"We didn't really have a timetable on it," Karlsson said. "We know we're in a good position. We want to make sure that it's not something that could come back down the road here and haunt me and hopefully that's not the case. You obviously never know. But it feels good and it's been feeling good for a while and just want to make sure that everything's safe and sound."