Karlsson, who has 15 points (two goals, 13 assists) in 26 games, struggled with San Jose to start the season, scoring his first goal in his 21st game. But he has settled in and has 11 points (two goals, nine assists) in his past 18 games.
His 47-point pace would be his lowest since 2010-11, his second NHL season, when he finished with 45 (13 goals, 32 assists). A two-time Norris Trophy winner as the NHL's best defenseman, Karlsson had 62 points (nine goals, 53 assists) in 71 games last season.
"It's different," said Karlsson, who will face the Senators for the first time since the trade at Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday (1 p.m. ET; TVAS, TSN5, NBCSCA, NHL.TV). "You try to fit in. You try to find your place. At the same time I've got to be who I am to help make us successful. I've been more comfortable the past month."
Coach Peter DeBoer has noticed.
"The past 15, 18 games, he's been excellent," DeBoer said. "The points are starting to come. His defense has been really good. Most nights he's been one of our better players, if not our best player.
"I think all that transition stuff is in the past, at least on the ice. Off the ice, I'm sure he's still getting used to it."
Karlsson said he and his wife, Melinda, have been enjoying life in San Jose after nine seasons with Ottawa, which selected him in the first round (No. 15) of the 2008 NHL Draft.
"It's been great," he said. "The Bay Area has been great. We've been out and about quite a bit. My wife loves it. It's been nothing but positive.
"Hockey-wise and life-wise, it's been a big adjustment. It's taken some time and [is] still taking some time but I've liked it. I've gotten as much enjoyment as I possibly can. There's nowhere to go but up."
