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NHL names John Carlson first star of the month for October

By Elyse Bailey

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November 1, 2019 12:49 pm

Things seem to be getting better and better for Capitals defenseman John Carlson. After being named the second star of the week for October 14th-October 20th, the NHL officially named him the first start for the month of October.

Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak was named second star and Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl was named third star.

Carlson set a franchise record for points (23) in a month for a defenseman. He has seven goals and 16 assists through 14 games.

During the month of October, Carlson has led the league in points several times, including after the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 16th. He is the fourth defenseman ever to score 20 points in October. He had two multi-goal games and three 3-point nights.

Not only is the NHL taking notice, but Capitals teammates rallying behind Carlson’s success. Alex Ovechkin has basically become the president of the John Carlson fan club by telling fans to use the hashtag #Johnny4Norris.

We can’t wait to see what the month of November has in store for John Carlson!

More from the NHL:

NEW YORK (Nov. 1, 2019) – Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson, Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak and Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the month of October.

FIRST STAR – JOHN CARLSON, D, WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Carlson paced defensemen in goals, assists and points – and ranked third in the entire NHL with 7-16—23 in 14 games – to power the Capitals to the top of the League standings on the strength of their best-ever October (9-2-3, 21 points). Only one blueliner in NHL history has recorded more points in a single October: Calgary’s Al MacInnis in 1990 (8-17—25 in 13 GP). Carlson – who found the scoresheet in 12 of his 14 appearances – registered eight multi-point outings, highlighted by three-point performances Oct. 10 at NSH (0-3—3), Oct. 16 vs. TOR (1‑2—3) and Oct. 18 vs. NYR (0‑3—3). That helped him establish a franchise record for points by a defenseman in any calendar month, surpassing Sergei Gonchar’s 22 in January 2000 (10‑12—22 in 14 GP), and also match a Washington record for points by any skater in a single October (Alex Ovechkin: 14‑9—23 in 13 GP in 2009). The 29-year-old Natick, Mass., native has collected 97-329—426 in 702 career NHL games (all w/ WSH), tied for the third-most points by any blueliner in Capitals history.

SECOND STAR – DAVID PASTRNAK, RW, BOSTON BRUINS

Pastrnak shared the League lead with 12 goals and placed second overall with 24 points in 12 contests (12-12—24) to lift the Bruins to the top of the Atlantic Division, also via their best-ever October (9-1-2, 20 points). Pastrnak compiled all of his points during a 10-game streak to close the month, two shy of his career high set Nov. 22 – Dec. 18, 2017 (5-9—14 in 12 GP). The current run has featured a four-goal performance (Oct. 14 vs. ANA), the 25th such instance in franchise history, as well as a five-assist outing (Oct. 27 at NYR), the 13th such occurrence in Boston history. Additionally, Pastrnak became the third player in Bruins history to score 12 goals in a single October, following Phil Esposito (14-10—24 in 10 GP in 1973) and Charlie Simmer (12-7—19 in 10 GP in 1985). His 24 points also matched Esposito for the most by any Bruin in a single October. The 23-year-old Havirov, Czech Republic, native reached the 300-point milestone Oct. 22 vs. TOR, finishing the month with 144-164—308 in 332 career appearances.

THIRD STAR – LEON DRAISAITL, C, EDMONTON OILERS

Draisaitl topped the NHL with 12-13—25 in 14 games to help the Oilers climb into first place in the Pacific Division and equal single-season franchise records for wins and points in October (9-4-1, 19 points). Draisaitl opened the month with an eight-game point streak (Oct. 2-18: 6-10—16) and closed it with points in four straight (Oct. 24-30: 6-3—9). He registered eight multi-point outings, including four with 2-1—3: Oct. 12 at NYR, Oct. 16 vs. PHI, Oct. 24 vs. WSH and Oct. 30 at CBJ. Only one player in Edmonton history has scored more goals in a single October: Wayne Gretzky in 1981 (13-14—27 in 13 GP) and 1983 (13-14—27 in 12 GP). The 24-year-old Cologne, Germany, native – who reached the 50-goal and 100-point milestones for the first time in 2018-19 (50‑55—105 in 82 GP) – has recorded 137-200—337 in 365 career NHL games.

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