Stats

You’ve Got Company Atop the Caps’ Assist Leaderboard, Backstrom

John Carlson. (Caps Outsider)

If anyone said that Nicklas Backstrom would be leading the team in assists this season, no duh. But if you guessed that defensman John Carlson would be only one assist behind Backstrom this far into the season, that’s a great prediction.

While Backstrom himself is hardly a slacker this season in terms of points – he’s leading the team, still a point-a-game player and on pace for a solid 58 assists – Carlson’s dishing abilities have skyrocketed. His career high is 30, but with 26 so far this year, he’s on pace for 55 – two less than Mike Green had back in 2009-10 when his scoring numbers peaked.

What’s the secret to Carlson’s sudden assist surge?

It’s not the power play. Carlson had 17 PP assists last season while only having six so far this year through 38 games. So obviously, he’s improved his 5-on-5 scoring, which the Caps and fans should be giddy over. (It should also come as no surprise that he’s got the team lead in +/- this year at +15).

Either way, keep it up Carlson. Keep giving Nicky some company atop the Caps’ assist board.

John Carlson’s stats

Season GP G A P +/- PIM PP SH GW
2009-2010 22 1 5 6 11 8 0 0 0
2010-2011 82 7 30 37 21 44 1 0 3
2011-2012 82 9 23 32 -15 22 4 0 0
2012-2013 48 6 16 22 11 18 0 0 0
2013-2014 82 10 27 37 -3 22 5 0 0
2014-2015 39 4 26 30 15 18 1 0 0
 Totals 355 37 127 164 40 132 11 0 3

Nicklas Backstrom’s stats

Season GP G A P +/- PIM PP SH GW
2007-2008 82 14 55 69 13 24 3 0 4
2008-2009 82 22 66 88 16 46 14 0 1
2009-2010 82 33 68 101 37 50 11 0 4
2010-2011 77 18 47 65 24 40 4 1 2
2011-2012 42 14 30 44 -4 24 3 0 4
2012-2013 48 8 40 48 8 20 3 0 1
2013-2014 82 18 61 79 -20 54 6 1 1
2014-2015 39 12 27 39 4 32 1 0 3
 Totals 534 139 394 533 78 290 45 2 20

Ben Sumner

Ben Sumner is the editor of Capitals Outsider. He also works for The Washington Post and contributes there when he gets a scoop.

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