Karlsson will play in All-Star Game, represent host Sharks

Erik Karlsson said Thursday he will play in the 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Game at SAP Center in San Jose on Saturday (8 p.m. ET; NBC, CBC, SN, TVAS).

The San Jose Sharks defenseman has missed the past three games with a lower-body injury, but he said he feels healthy enough to participate in the game, as well as 2019 SAP NHL All-Star Skills on Friday.
"It's in San Jose," Karlsson said during NHL All-Star Game Media Day presented by adidas. "It's for this organization and this city and this community, this fan base. I'm a part of that and I want to do my part, and it's important for me to be here for this weekend and give them back something. So I'm very happy that I was fortunate to participate. I'm looking forward to it, I think, just as much as everybody else and especially with my two teammates."
RELATED: [Karlsson says no timetable for contract talks with Sharks]
Sharks defenseman Brent Burns and forward Joe Pavelski also were selected for the All-Star Game.
Karlsson is in his first season with the Sharks after being acquired in a trade from the Ottawa Senators on Sept. 13. He has three goals and 40 assists in 47 games.
It will be Karlsson's sixth All-Star Game and second in his team's city.

"It's great," he said. "It's funny how things work out sometimes. It's always fun to play an All-Star [Game] in your hometown in front of your own fans. I was very privileged to do it once before in Ottawa (in 2012). Never thought I was going to get the chance to do it again, but here we sit. It's great. I know how much it means for the community and city and especially for the fan base now here in the Bay Area. It's a great way to showcase what we have to offer, and I'm extremely excited and proud to be a San Jose Shark."
Karlsson was asked how close he is to being 100 percent healthy.
"I feel good," he said. "It's the All-Star Game, and I'm going to be able to do everything, so that's a good start."