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Capitals: Top 3 impact players to watch against Devils

By Michael Marzzacco

NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 20: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with teammate John Carlson #74 after Carlson scored a goal in the third period of an NHL hockey game on November 20, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 20: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with teammate John Carlson #74 after Carlson scored a goal in the third period of an NHL hockey game on November 20, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 02: A general view of the scoreboard during the first period of the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins as John Carlson #74 of the Washington Capitals is recognized for passing Calle Johansson to become the franchise leader in assists by a defenseman at Capital One Arena on February 2, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 02: A general view of the scoreboard during the first period of the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins as John Carlson #74 of the Washington Capitals is recognized for passing Calle Johansson to become the franchise leader in assists by a defenseman at Capital One Arena on February 2, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

John Carlson

John Carlson was held off the scoresheet in Washington’s overtime defeat to Montreal and finished with a -1 with two shots, a hit, and blocked three shots in 25:36. His ice time was the most among skaters.

Carlson sits just two points shy of passing Callle Johansson for the most points in franchise history by a defensemen. Carlson has 55 assists which leads all defensemen and is second in the NHL and has 70 points. Carlson reached the 50-assist total in his 54th game. He became the NHL’s fifth different blueliner in the last 30 years to reach the 50-assist plateau in 54 games or fewer and the first since Sergei Zubov in 1993-94.

Carlson is on pace to finish with 95 points. Only five defensemen in NHL history have recorded 100 points in a season. He is also one point shy of surpassing his career high that was set last season (13 goals, 57 assists) and is 12 points shy of setting the franchise record for most points in a season by a defensemen (Larry Murphy: 81 points in 1986-87).

Carlson returns home to New Jersey where he grew up. Look for him to make an impact in this game on the top pair with Brenden Dillon. That is a shutdown duo.

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