Parker Wotherspoon and Erik Karlsson are part of the best defensive duo of the season. Pittsburgh Penguins since the start of the 2025-26 NHL season in October.
They started getting reps together during training camp in September, and it became apparent pretty quickly that the two had serious chemistry. They feed off each other very well and so far this season they have been one of the best defensive pairs in terms of lowest goals allowed per 60.
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According to MoneyPuckAmong defensive pairs who have played at least 150 minutes together, the Wotherspoon-Karlsson pair ranks fifth in the NHL in goals against per 60 with 1.4. The duo shut things down in their own zone and don’t give the opposition much in attack.
Wotherspoon signed a two-year contract with Penguins general manager and president Kyle Dubas in July and the early feedback has been fantastic. Not only did he bring some offense, but he did a great job preventing scoring opportunities.
Karlsson looks rejuvenated under new head coach Dan Muse and is playing his best hockey as a Penguin, which is saying something after ranking tied for fifth in 5-on-5 points among all NHL defensemen last year with 33. He has already compiled one goal and 13 points in 19 games.
Both Karlsson and Wotherspoon play a big role in the Penguins’ 10-5-4 start, and if they continue this momentum, the team will have a good chance of returning to the playoffs this year.
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