With two goals in the first period of the Capitals 3-1 win over the Kings Wednesday night, John Carlson has tied Al MacInnis (1990-91) and Denis Potvin (1975-76) for the most points by a defenseman (42) in his team’s first 30 games of a season, since Bobby Orr had 56 to start the 1974-75 season.

Carlson’s first goal, his 10th of the season, came just 4:36 into the opening frame at Staples Center. Carlson would blast one past Kings netminder Jonathan Quick, unassisted. It was also Carlson’s 100th career NHL goal.

Carlson’s second goal was a beauty, taking a cross-ice saucer pass from TJ Oshie and outmaneuvering Kings netminder Jonathan Quick at the goal mouth for his second tally of the night.

Carlson is currently on pace for a whopping 115 points this season.

Carlson’s multi-goal game marks his third multi-goal game of the season in just his 30th game. He entered this season with three career multi-goal games in 688 games.

Carlson (718 GP) also became the fifth defenseman in Capitals history to score 100 goals with the franchise.

Carlson’s first goal marked his 10th of the season. The Capitals now have six players with double digit goals (Ovechkin, Vrana, Oshie, Kuznetsov, Wilson, Carlson). No other team in the NHL has more than four.

Through 30 games, the Capitals are 21-4-5, setting a franchise record for most points (47) in their first 30 games of the season.

The Capitals are back in action Friday night when they visit the Ducks in Anaheim. Puck drop is set for just after 10:00 PM.

By Jon Sorensen

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Congratulations @jc7474 on your 100th career NHL goal!👊💪🏼 #ALLCAPS

A post shared by NoVa Caps (@nova_caps) on Dec 4, 2019 at 7:26pm PST