NHL Best Capitals Get Even Better With Return of Defenseman Carlson
The Washington Capitals are having an amazing season. At the All Star Break they’re 35-8-3 for 73 points and running away with the Eastern Conference (they lead by 10 points over Atlantic Division leading Florida) and the Metropolitan Division (they lead the second place New York Rangers by 13 points). They’ve got the best record in the NHL–3 up on the Western Conference leading Dallas Stars–and are #1 in three of the four major statistical categories boasting the best scoring offense, best scoring defense, best power play and #4 penalty kill.
As if they needed anything else to go their way, they’re about to get even better with the return of playmaking defenseman John Carlson. Carlson–who is the ‘quarterback’ of the power play–has been out of action since late December with a lower body injury. He returned to action in Wednesday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers. He was very vague when asked about his return after practice earlier in the day suggesting that he was ready but that there was no plan in place: “There’s a lot of other things that go into it. And I’ve been feeling good for the past week or week and a half or so and I just keep progressing and getting better, which is a positive. We’ll see where that takes us.”
Carlson probably should have talked with Capitals’ head coach Barry Trotz before making his statements as he had a completely different story: “He’ll take the warmup and we’ll see from there. I would say he’s probable. I anticipate him probably being in. But we’ll leave a little leeway in the warmup.” Carlson was quickly back to his old ways with the Capitals, blocking a shot early in the game against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Much of the Caps’ defensive success this year has been due to the exceptional play of goaltender Braden Holtby. Holtby is considered the presumptive winner of the Vezina Trophy at this point with 30 wins and a 2.01 goals against average. Of course he’s had plenty of help this season from both the high octane offense and a defense that is in the top ten for ‘fewest shots against’.