Senators' Boucher: Karlsson the 'best player in the world'

Step aside Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid.

Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson is the NHL's top player, or so says his coach.

"I think he's the best player in the world," Senators bench boss Guy Boucher told reporters Monday. "He has an impact on everything. Your breakouts, your transition, your offensive zone, your power play, your defensive play. (He's) your leader. He is who he is. He is such a presence."

Karlsson - who missed the Senators' first five regular-season games as he's continued to recover from offseason foot surgery - will be back in the lineup Tuesday when Ottawa takes on the Vancouver Canucks.

His return comes on the heels of what many pundits projected to be a tough go for the Senators without their captain in the lineup. But just the opposite occurred, as Ottawa holds a 3-0-2 record on the season and is one of just two clubs to remain undefeated in regulation time.

That includes the club's recent Western Canadian road swing, where the Senators went a perfect 3-0 for the first time in franchise history, a trip that was highlighted by back-to-back blowout wins over the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers.

"It's time. We did well without him," Boucher added. "A lot of people talked about the word 'survive' before he gets back, but I think the players should get all the credit for not just surviving but growing and every day wanting to get better.

"Erik comes in and the first thing he said, 'Let's just keep getting better.' I think we have everybody on the same page. Erik coming in is going to continue to help us do that."