(Caps Outsider)
With an assist in the Caps’ 5-3 win against Pittsburgh on Sunday, John Carlson passed Calle Johansson for the most points scored by a Caps defenseman in Washington’s history, with 475. Carlson got an assist on Carl Hagelin’s third-period goal.
“It’s about time somebody did that, it’s been too long,” Johansson said in a taped message from Sweden, as the Caps honored Carlson during the game. Carlson said he couldn’t hear it because the sound system is directed toward the fans, and instead looked uncomfortable as they put him on the big screen.
“It’s not my favorite thing,” he joked after the game about all the attention being on him.
With this being the second milestone in two days, Carlson said it’s a relief to get these out of the way, but added, considering the team’s record lately: “Not that I was really thinking about it too much to be honest, with what’s going on.”
Carlson has played in 233 fewer games than Johansson, making Carlson’s numbers more impressive. Most importantly, the record came in a win. “Yeah, that’s what we were worried about,” he said.
Johansson had 113 goals and 361 for 474 points in 983 games with the Caps. Carlson is 5th on the Caps’ all-time defensive goal-scoring list with 105. Kevin Hatcher is the all-time leader with 149.
1. John Carlson (475)
2. Calle Johansson (474)Congrats to @JohnCarlson74 on becoming the new franchise leader for Points as a Defenseman!
And now a message from Calle 🗣#ALLCAPS #Johnny4Norris pic.twitter.com/hPm8EHN3Ll
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 23, 2020
