Why Erik Karlsson's new Sharks record isn't considered a points streak

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Erik Karlsson set a Sharks record on Monday with an assist in his 13th consecutive appearance, but don't call it a streak.

The defenseman picked up a secondary assist on Joonas Donskoi's first-period goal when Evander Kane gathered Karlsson's deflected shot attempt, and fired a shot of his own on net. Donskoi deposited the rebound past Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jack Campbell. 

Karlsson's assist came in his 13 straight appearance, but it's not considered a streak because it was not the 13th consecutive game the Sharks played. The 28-year-old was suspended for two games after hitting Kings winger Austin Wagner in the head, and has thus played in 13 of San Jose's last 15 games. Technically, Karlsson's point streak now stands at five games. 

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Regardless of the nomenclature, Karlsson continued to rack up points. He assisted on Tomas Hertl's goal in the second period and Joe Thornton's empty-netter in the third. The defenseman now has 22 points (one goal, 21 assists) in his last 13 games. 

The Sharks, meanwhile, are 9-3-1 in that span after beating the Kings 3-1 on Monday night. With the two-time Norris Trophy winner playing like this, it's easy to see why.

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