John Carlson out indefinitely

Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson didn’t get to enjoy Alex Ovechkin passing Gordie Howe last night. Instead he left the game after taking a slap shot to the face early in the third period.

Carlson took a Brenden Dillon slap sho off the right cheek and blended. He went to the locker room and never returned. NBC Sports Washington analyst Alan May even said he left a trail of blood down the tunnel to the locker room.

After the game Carlson was transported to the hospital for precautionary reasons. May described the injury as “superficial”.

On Sunday the Capitals announced that Carlson was discharged earlier in the day and remains under the care of team medical personnel. He will be out indefinitely.

That was the only bad part in what was otherwise a dominant Capitals game complete with Alex Ovechkin’s 801st and 802nd career goals to pass Gordie Howe.

Carlson missed six games earlier in the year due to a lower body injury. Who knows how long he’ll be out this time.

Alex Ovechkin told the media after the game:

“It sucks Carly get hurt. In whole third period, I think boys was thinking about him and how he’s doing. Hope he’s all right. I don’t know what’s happening right now but all our minds are with him.”

Head Coach Peter Laviolette added, “It’s tough that Carly wasn’t there tonight because he sits right next to Ovi and is such a loud, vocal piece inside the locker room.”

Carlson has recorded eight goals and 13 assist for 21 points so far this season. The Caps are now without T.J. Oshie and Carlson like they were earlier in the season. They’re also without Beck Malenstyn, Martin Fehervary and Connor Brown.

Of course we all know they’re without Carl Hagelin, Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson either though the latter two are making progress and might be back soon knock on wood.