NHL Journalist & Reporter
Washington D.C.
- NHL Out Of Beijing Olympics And On Pause Due To COVID-19 Spike - December 23, 2021
- Capitals Defeat Ducks In Shootout - December 7, 2021
- Capitals’ Consistency Earns NHL’s Top Spot - November 30, 2021
John Carlson came into this season without receiving much respect in regards to being a top-defensemen in the NHL. So far, he’s been putting the league on notice.
Carlson is now 2nd in the NHL in points, behind David Pastrnak who has 23 points (11 goals and 12 assists). Carlson is one of only four defensemen in NHL history to record 20 points in the month of October. Only one of the defenseman on the list did it faster than Carlson, Paul Coffey in 88-89′ season with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Coffey has the record of 20 points in a total of ten games, while Carlson did it in 11. Carlson has started the season buzzing on both sides of the ice. Not only is this milestone incredible for NHL history but also for this Washington Capitals’ club.
The consistent goal-getter for the Caps is Alexander Ovechkin, who has eight 50-goal seasons already. He has never reached this accomplishment faster than Carlson. Ovechkin had 20-points in 12 games in the 09-10′ NHL season, one more than it took Carlson.
These numbers aren’t a fluke. Carlson is just a very good defensemen and the league must know how important he is to a Washington Capital team that has big expectations heading into November and also for the rest of the season.
The closest defenseman to Carlson is Roman Josi, who has 13 points, eight fewer than Carlson.
John Carlson might not get all the votes for a Hart trophy but he deserves credit for being the best defensemen in the NHL.
Of the achievement, Carlson said he has had good luck this month. Indeed he has. Hopefully it continues for the rest of the season.
