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Capitals Top Players From The First Half Of The Season

CJ Witt|
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 31: John Carlson (74) of the Washington Capitals and Alex Ovechkin (8) of the Washington Capitals on ice during warmups prior to their game against the New York Islanders at Capital One Arena on December 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Geoff Burke/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 31: John Carlson (74) of the Washington Capitals and Alex Ovechkin (8) of the Washington Capitals on ice during warmups prior to their game against the New York Islanders at Capital One Arena on December 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Geoff Burke/NHLI via Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 13: Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) looks for a pass during the Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals NHL game on January 13, 2020 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 13: Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) looks for a pass during the Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals NHL game on January 13, 2020 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

John Carlson

This one is probably the most obvious. John Carlson might be the poster boy for the first half of the season. He’s been setting team records, he could possibly do things only a few defensemen have ever done. The first half of the season has been quite impressive for Carlson.

Carlson has 60 points and 13 goals through the teams first 49 games. That puts him on pace for exactly 100 points. That would make him the first defenseman to score 100 or more points in a season since 1991-92, that was Brian Leetch of the New York Rangers.

His advanced stats are similar to the first two guys we mentioned, not great but still on the right side of 50%. His Corsi% is 50.99%, his scoring chance percentage is 51.36% being on the ice for 414 chances for and 392 against. Finally his high danger attempts percentage is 50.78% being on the ice for 162 high danger attempts for and 157 against.

There honestly isn’t much more to say about Carlson. Just read the paragraph above about being a defenseman to score 100 or more points in a season. It might happen, it might not. But to be having this discussion half way through the season is unbelievable.

He’s the no doubt favorite for the Norris Trophy right now, his name should be in the MVP discussion and he is most likely the best Capital through the first half of the season.

There you have it. The first half of the season is over and done with. These players have been the best in my opinion. Anyone I leave off? Who do you think has been one of the best through the first half of the season?

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