At one point this season, the Pittsburgh Penguins were frustrated with defenseman Erik Karlsson. Pittsburgh was not playing well on the ice and appeared destined for a poor season. And while Karlsson’s offense was solid as always,

Splitting their first two games after the 4 Nations Face-off break, 1-1, should hardly matter to the Rangers hierarchy that watched the team get destroyed in Buffalo and barely escape Pittsburgh with a win over the last-place club in the Metropolitan Division.

With the Pittsburgh Penguins returning to play on Saturday against the Washington Capitals in their first game following the 4 Nations Face-off break, it's easy to forget that another key date is approaching.