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Capitals: Top 3 heroes against Kings

By Michael Marzzacco

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 04: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with his teammates after scoring his first goal of the game against the Los Angeles Kings in the third period at Capital One Arena on February 04, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 04: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with his teammates after scoring his first goal of the game against the Los Angeles Kings in the third period at Capital One Arena on February 04, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 04: John Carlson #74 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against the Los Angeles Kings in the second period at Capital One Arena on February 04, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 04: John Carlson #74 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against the Los Angeles Kings in the second period at Capital One Arena on February 04, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /

John Carlson

Go Johnny go! John Carlson has been the biggest impact player on the Capitals besides Alex Ovechkin this season but the defenseman was scoreless during the whole month of January.

He was due for a goal and on Tuesday night he came down the ice, got a pass from Nicklas Backstrom, started by Carl Hagelin, and shot it past Kings netminder Jonathan Quick for his 14th goal of the season. Carlson’s wrist shot from near the right face-off circle put the Caps on the board to tie the game at 7:25 in the second period.

“I kind of was coming from the wall so maybe he didn’t see me as much but certainly if he goes there he’s gotta make a decision one way or the other and kind of try to play half and half, and leave both plays open. Nick (Backstrom) was gonna find the open guy in that scenario and I think a good example of coming back and creating that turnover,” Carlson told the media on the goal.

Carlson’s only two points in the four games since the break came in Washington’s win over Ottawa. Despite this, he still leads all defensemen in points and is only getting warmer.

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