The Washington Capitals held a Thursday practice ahead of their tilt against the Philadelphia Flyers at Capital One Arena on Saturday (7:00 P.M. ET on NBC Sports Washington). Here is the latest from Medstar Capitals Iceplex.
Prax day in The District pic.twitter.com/q8BcUGelBJ
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 6, 2020
Head Coach Todd Reirden has not decided who will be in net on Saturday. He intends to play both Braden Holtby and Ilya Samsonov in the next two games.
Todd Reirden has not decided on a goaltender for Saturday vs Flyers, but the plan is to play both goalies in the next two games. (Saturday is Flyers, Monday is Islanders)
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) February 6, 2020
Carlson’s Historic Season
CAPS TODAY: John Carlson set a franchise record for the fewest required games to reach the 50 assist mark by a defenseman. More info on Carlson and the Caps at https://t.co/HecIC0ECg1 pic.twitter.com/pfy2s45cfa
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) February 6, 2020
His record is nine games fewer than the previous low of 63 set by Mike Green in 2009-10. He became the NHL’s fifth different defenseman in the last 30 years to reach the 50-assist mark in 54 games or fewer and first since Sergei Zubov in 1993-94.
In addition, Carlson is on pace for 98 points over an 82-game season. Only five defensemen in NHL history have recorded more than 100 points in a season (Bobby Orr: six times; Paul Coffey: five times; Denis Potvin, Al MacInnis and Brian Leetch: each once).
Carlson is already six points shy of surpassing his career-high set last season (13g, 57a), and he’s now just 17 points shy of setting the franchise record for the most points in a season by a defenseman.
Essential Links
How Martin Fehérváry Fared In His Return To The Capitals (NoVa Caps)
8 wild stats that put Ovechkin’s historic scoring streak in context (Sportsnet)
Capitals Prospect Aliaksei Protas Ends Scoring Drought In Dramatic Fashion (NoVa Caps)
By Della Young
