Top 3 Capitals studs against Blackhawks

#1 John Carlson

The number one stud of the game was none other than John Carlson making his return for the first time since Dec. 23. Carlson, Ovechkin, Backstrom, as well as Dylan Strome each recorded two points in the win. Per Capitals PR, the Capitals are 22-0-1 all time in games where Ovechkin, Backstrom, and Carlson tally two or more points.

Carlson had the secondary assist on the Backstrom goal in the second period. He scored 1:04 into the third period on the power play on a slapshot from up top. It was his signature shot.

Even though he’s missed a lot of time, he still has nine goals on the season. Like Tom Wilson, if Carlson wasn’t hurt he could be flirting with career high numbers.

It was the first time the trip recorded multiple points in the same game since April 13, 2021. Washington has a record of 563-310-111 with a .629 points percentage since 2010-11, Carlson’s rookie year. That’s the third highest pints percentage in the NHL in that span.

This season the Capitals are 10-2-0 when Carlson records an assist. He has six multi point games this season and 140 in his career.

Darcy Kuemper talked about how rough life had been without Carlson:

"“We miss him. In my position, I definitely missed him. We’ve been watching all the hard work he’s been putting in. To see someone go through something so scary and then make a comeback like that, then have that performance, it was pretty special.”"

Those are the top 3 studs of last night’s game. Tomorrow night the Caps head to Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins on ABC.