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Capitals: Top 3 impact players to watch against Canadiens

By Michael Marzzacco

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 29: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals wears Kobe Bryant’s number 24 on his jersey as he warm ups before playing against the Nashville Predators at Capital One Arena on January 29, 2020 in Washington, DC. Ovechkin wore the number 24 to honor former NBA player Kobe Bryant, who was killed in a helicopter crash on January 26. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 29: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals wears Kobe Bryant’s number 24 on his jersey as he warm ups before playing against the Nashville Predators at Capital One Arena on January 29, 2020 in Washington, DC. Ovechkin wore the number 24 to honor former NBA player Kobe Bryant, who was killed in a helicopter crash on January 26. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 10: John Carlson #74 of the Washington Capitals skates against the New York Islanders the New York Islanders at Capital One Arena on February 10, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 10: John Carlson #74 of the Washington Capitals skates against the New York Islanders the New York Islanders at Capital One Arena on February 10, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

John Carlson

Alex Ovechkin isn’t the only Capitals player chasing history tonight. John Carlson is two points away from passing Calle Johansson (474) for the most points in franchise history by a defensemen. Carlson leads all defensemen in assists with 55 which is also ranked second in the NHL. He also leads all defensemen with 70 points.

In Monday night’s loss against Vegas, Carlson became one of five defensemen to reach the 70-point mark in 59 or fewer games in the last 30 years and the first since Phil Housley of the Winnipeg Jets did so in the 1992-93 season.

Carlson was credited with the secondary assist on T.J. Oshie’s second goal of the night in Washington’s third period comeback attempt Monday night in Vegas. He also had two assists in Washington’s comeback win over the Colorado Avalanche.

Carlson also has 15 goals on the season, his last goal coming against the New York Islanders in a loss. That goal was a shot that initially looked like it went off Ovechkin but unfortunately for him it didn’t.

How and when will Carlson past Johansson? We can’t wait to find out.

The defense has to improve tonight and this next player will be taking the ice next to Carlson as the newest member in town.

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