John Carlson improbably combined with Michal Kempny for the Capitals’ fourth goal of the game. Not only did the goal mark Nicklas Backstrom’s 900th career point (he tallied a secondary assist on the play), Carlson’s tally also ended up being the game-winner after Miles Wood scored a goal in trash time late in the third period.
The goal gave Carlson 13 total on the season – six of which have been game-winners.
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According to @StatsCentre, Carlson is now tied with Kevin Hatcher for the most game-winning goals in Capitals defense history.
Adding a pair of points to his already amazing total so far in 2019-20, John Carlson's goal for the @Capitals on Friday night stood up as the winner & also moved him into a tie atop this franchise list of high-scoring rearguards pic.twitter.com/vZicWBgM9p
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) December 21, 2019
Before Carlson’s breakout season this year, the most game-winning goals he had in a season was four, which he accomplished twice during the 2017-18 and the 2015-16 seasons. Carlson (450) is also 24 points away from tying Calle Johansson (474) for the most points in team history.
If Carlson can continue his pace and play all 82 games this season, he’s on pace to score 30 goals, 77 assists, and 107 points, which would smash the Capitals’ single-season record set by Larry Murphy (81) in 1986–87.
Full RMNB Coverage of Caps at Devils
Headline photo: NBC Sports Washington
