(Caps Outsider)
Caps defenseman John Carlson scored his 100th career goal on Wednesday, roofing a far-side corner shot on Jonathan Quick in L.A. in the first period. Then he scored another.
Carlson is on pace to shatter every one of his career highs this season, as he has 11 goals and 31 assists through 30 games. He not only leads all NHL defensemen in scoring, but he’s 14 points ahead of Carolina’s Dougie Hamilton.
And… he’s in the top three in the league in assists, right behind Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid.
Carlson only needs 82 points this season to set a Caps defensive record for points in a season, which is currently owned by Larry Murphy. He’s bound to also pass Calle Johansson for most points by a defenseman in Caps history. Carlson currently has 445, so he’s 29 points behind Johansson.
Other Caps defense records: Kevin Hatcher has 149 goals, Johansson has 361 assists (Carlson has 344).
Carlson is actually quite a ways behind Johansson on the Caps’ all-time defensive power play points list. He’s got 163 to Johansson’s 228. Then again, Johansson has played 983 games with the Caps while Carlson is at 718.
As for his personal highs – he had a career high 70 points last season, a career high of 15 goals two seasons ago, as a career high of 57 assists last year. Only 30 games in, he’s already having his 4th best season for points in his career.
Congratulations on 100 101 career goals, Carlson!
Not bad for #💯 #CapsKings #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/Uvl3yCdFy5
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 5, 2019
JOHN CARLSON, SO HOT RIGHT NOW 🔥🔥🔥 #CapsKings #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/3rmZtRzk4w
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 5, 2019
