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 |