3 players that exceeded expectations this year

The Washington Capitals are back in the playoffs and now look to move up the Eastern Conference standings. Their record is 43-23-10 with 96 points. They’re in the second wild card three points behind the first spot occupied by the Boston Bruins. They’re also just one point behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for third place in the Metropolitan Division.

There are just six games left in the regular season and big points are up for grabs. After a big win over the Colorado Avalanche on Monday night, the Capitals will look to continue their good late season momentum tonight against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Here are 3 players that have overachieved their expectations this season.

#3 John Carlson

John Carlson has exceeded expectations this season. After he got criticism early in the season, he has turned his game around and has recently been on a hot streak. He extended his point streak to a season high seven games with four goals and nine assists in Monday’s win at Colorado. It’s a stretch that includes four multi point games. He had an assist against the Avalanche.

Carlson has 15 goals this season which is one goal shy of setting a personal mark. He could tie the franchise record for most consecutive games with an assist by a defenseman if he records one tonight against Vegas. He would pass his personal mark which was 12 assists in eight games from Nov. 7-20, 2019.