Carlson can now be called ‘Mr. October’
Defenseman leads NHL in points during 1st month
CALGARY, Alberta — Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin couldn’t help but yell over the scrum of reporters headed toward John Carlson after the team’s 5-3 win Tuesday over the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome.
“Johnny for Norris!” Ovechkin hollered, cracking a grin.
Just 11 games into the season, it might be a little premature for Carlson’s teammates to be talking about his worthiness of the Norris Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL’s best defenseman. But Ovechkin made sure to announce it a few more times just for good measure.
“It seems like anything he wants, it goes in — passes, shots, plays — and it is good for us,” Ovechkin said.
As of Wednesday morning, Carlson leads the league in points with 20 (five goals, 15 assists), after scoring two goals Tuesday against the Flames.
The 29-year-old extended his point streak to eight games, matching his career high. He became the fourth defenseman in NHL history to record 20-plus points in October and is the second-fastest defenseman to 20 since Paul Coffey did it in 10 games in 1988-89.
Carlson is the third defenseman in history to lead the league in scoring through the first 20 days of the season (Baldy Northcott: 1932-33; Bobby Orr: 1969-70 and 1974-75).
Asked how it felt to be in the company of players such as Orr and Coffey, Carlson responded, “Yeah, they are a lot better players than me. But it’s pretty cool, obviously great players in that list, and I’m just happy to be among them.”
Carlson insists some of his points were “lucky,” repeatedly calling scoring for defensemen “streaky,” and he just needs to “take it when he can get it.”
Carlson’s first goal Tuesday was a hopeful shot that seemed to catch Calgary goaltender Cam Talbot by surprise as it hit the short side for the goal. His empty-netter late in the game was a bouncer that found the net.
And while any player needs a couple bounces to go his way during the season, goaltender Braden Holtby said Carlson’s overall game Tuesday, especially in the defensive zone alongside Michal Kempny, was “phenomenal.”
Capitals coach Todd Reirden said Carlson continues to earn all the praise over the first three weeks of the season.
“He’s our main guy back there, that’s for sure,” Reirden said.
Over the past two seasons, Carlson has been in the Norris discussion, finishing in the top five in voting both years but never among the top three. Last year, in a season in which he earned an All-Star nod for the first time in his career, Carlson was fourth after totaling 70 points (13 goals, 57 assists). The year prior, Carlson finished fifth after leading all defensemen with 68 points.
But as Carlson chooses to remain humble, his teammates will gladly do the talking for him. Ovechkin will always be one of the first to promote Carlson, as will Nicklas Backstrom, who over the last few years has been outspoken about Carlson not getting enough recognition around the league.
Carlson also was chosen as an alternate captain this season, taking over a role played by Brooks Orpik last season. This season, Carlson is being relied on more than ever before to be the leader on the blue line and so far he’s done that and more.
“He’s a terrific player first of all and to see him dominant the way he does is pretty incredible,” Backstrom said. “He is not really chasing points either. He is a really good defenseman, plays really solid back there. Points are just going his way, I think, and I’m happy for him.”
Carlson is impressing his opponents too. Calgary captain Mark Giordano equates Carlson to a high-powered forward, having to account for him on the ice at all times and making sure to take away time and space.
“I’ve seen some pretty hot starts, but I’ve never seen something like this,” Giordano said. “Really impressive. He’s always been a guy that puts up numbers and he is right up there offensively year in and year out.”
Carlson’s play has been crucial to the Capitals’ recent success. Washington is on a four-game winning streak after winning the first two games of a five-game trip that continues Thursday against Edmonton.
“I think he took a step forward in his game and his confidence is really high,” Ovechkin said. “That’s why I said, ‘Johnny for Norris!’ ”