John Carlson may be tired, but he’s playing inspired hockey.
Carlson and wife Gina had a baby last night, a little boy they’re calling Junior for now. Shouldering his new responsibilities well, Carlson has been excellent in the first period. He put a monster hit on Jake Guentzel, but his best moment was opening up scoring for the home team with a glorious slapshot.
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2x DAD STRENGTH! #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/QGW2lzf7we
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 6, 2018
With Dominik Simon in the box for tripping Matt Niskanen, John Carlson carried the puck in the high slot as the forwards collapsed low. That afforded Carlson time and space, two things the Penguins should not give him.
What a clapper.
Slap. Goal. Celebrate.
Just 33 seconds later, Brett Connolly finished off a wonderful sequence set up by Jakub Vrana to give the Caps the lead.
33 SECONDS FROM DOWN ONE TO UP ONE! #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/0wBc4m9YXD
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 6, 2018
Vrana dug out out the puck while forechecking, finding Connolly in the middle of the ice.
The shot deflected five hole past Matt Murray.
With those two plays, the Capitals salvaged a pretty bad first period and shift the pressure onto the visitors in a big game.
