We did it, babes! (Caps Outsider)
After allowing nearly 800 more goals than they scored over their first eight seasons, the Capitals on Friday scored the long-awaited equalizer, as John Carlson gave the Caps a 2-1 lead against Carolina in the first period. While the Caps ended up only winning in a shootout, meaning they dropped back to -1 since shootout goals don’t count to these totals, they officially made it back to zero, for a time, and are certain to be in the positive numbers very soon.
At the time of Carlson’s goal, they had 11,655 goals, and had given up the same number. They haven’t had a positive goal differential since the first period of their first game in 1974.
The Washington Post’s Scott Allen and I published an article about this back in January, when the Caps were -5, before the Capitals started slumping. With the Caps’ recent winning ways, including Thursday’s 7-2 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets, they clawed their way back.
The Capitals also have a goal differential of zero in the playoffs, with 836 goals for and 836 goals against.
From The Post: A look at the Capitals’ long climb toward an all-time goal differential of zero
Totals at the time of Carlson’s goal:
