Karlsson Records 4 Straight Multi-Assist Games for 2nd Time in Career

Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson recorded his fourth consecutive multi-assist game in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens, marking the second time in his career that he has accomplished the rare feat, per Elias Sports Bureau (via ESPN.com).

He also recorded four straight multi-assist games back in February 2012, and he is the only player to do so even once since Ryan Getzlaf in March 2011.

Both of Karlsson's streaks have consisted solely of performances with two assists, but while he hasn't scored any goals during the ongoing stretch, his previous four-game run included four goals.

He thus managed an incredible 12 points over four games during the first streak, which was part of a longer eight-game streak that saw Karlsson pile up seven goals and 11 assists for a whopping total of 18 points.

While his ongoing run of hot play may not compare to that ridiculous stretch in February 2012, Karlsson has quickly made up ground in what's shaping up as a somewhat disappointing statistical season.

The superstar blueliner is on pace for 64 points, and while that might even be good enough to lead all NHL defensemen, it would represent a significant drop off from the 78 points he scored in 2011-12 and 74 he tallied in 2013-14.

Karlsson was easily the points leader among defensemen in both of those seasons, and he likely would have done the same in 2012-13, if not for losing most of the lockout-shortened campaign to a torn Achilles tendon.

With 44 points in 56 games this season, Karlsson is tied with Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks for third among defensemen, trailing only Mark Giordano (47) of the Calgary Flames and Kris Letang (45) of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Looking to the more immediate future, Karlsson can extend his streak of multi-assist games to five when the Senators face the Florida Panthers at the Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday.