Just a day after tying Capitals defensive great Calle Johansson for the franchise Points record among defensemen, current Capitals defenseman John Carlson took sole possession of first all-time in Washington Capitals’ history in scoring among blueliners with an assist against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday afternoon.

Carlson, who entered the game with 105 goals and 369 assists in 749 games played in a Washington sweater, recorded an assist on a goal by Carl Hagelin at the 4:41 mark of the third period against Pittsburgh at Capital One Arena, also a day after Alex Ovechkin reached the 700-goal plateau.

CARL IT’S GOOD TO SEE YA pic.twitter.com/BVmT2H1dWw

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 23, 2020

Carlson, who was drafted with the 27th overall pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, is in the midst of a banner season, in which he has now recorded 72 points in 62 games played in 2019-20, and is considered the front-runner for the Norris Trophy as the league’s best defenseman. Carlson is nine goals shy of passing Johansson for the most Goals Scored in franchise history by a defenseman, after passing the longtime Caps blueliner for the franchise lead in assists earlier this season.

1. John Carlson (475)
2. Calle Johansson (474)

Congrats to @JohnCarlson74 on becoming the new franchise leader for Points as a Defenseman!

And now a message from Calle 🗣#ALLCAPS #Johnny4Norris pic.twitter.com/hPm8EHN3Ll

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 23, 2020

By Michael Fleetwood