NHL All-Star Game: Top 3 bold predictions for John Carlson

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SAN JOSE, CA – JANUARY 25: John Carlson #74 of the Washington Capitals competes in the SAP NHL Hardest Shot during the 2019 SAP NHL All-Star Skills at SAP Center on January 25, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) /

#2. John Carlson will defend his Hardest Shot title

For the third year in a row, a Washington Capitals player will take home the Hardest Shot title. It was a trend started by Alex Ovechkin and for the second straight year it’ll be continued by John Carlson.

Last year Carlson went up against Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Seth Jones of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks. Carlson’s first attempt went 102.8, a harder shot than Ovechkin.

Carlson led all shooters in the first round. He had 100.8 miles per hour in the second round and was the winner.

There’s been something about the Washington Capitals and the big stage the last few years and I expect this weekend to be no different. As for Carlson’s competition in the event I predict it’ll be two defensemen and a forward.

SAN JOSE, CA – JANUARY 26: Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) during the NHL All-Star Game at SAP Center on January 26, 2019 in San Jose, CA. (Photo by Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

My prediction: Carlson will be up against Alex Pieterangelo of the St. Louis Blues, Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks, and David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins. His closest will be Pastrnak who’s the NHL’s leading scorer. Yup, it’ll come down to the leading defensemen and goal scorer.

That’ll be entertaining to watch but what about the game itself?

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