Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson met with the media following the team’s morning skate on Tuesday. It was the first time that Carlson answered questions regarding his vicious collision with the boards against the Dallas Stars on Sunday night. The fall was initiated by Stars’ winger Jamie Benn.
The play immediately drew the ire of captain Alex Ovechkin, who hunted down and laid a hit on Benn. He then followed that up with a stick to the back and several cross-checks to Benn back. Tom Wilson would next join in on the pummeling of Benn before all five Capitals on the ice jumped into the scrum.
On Tuesday Carlson said he was ok, but that it was initially pretty painful.
“It was pretty painful. First you kind of always worry about your head and that was fine. So that was kind of a relief,” said Carlson
Carlson believes the play was very dangerous, but also uncalled for.
“I think it was a dangerous play, and also needless, at that point in the game and that situation. It was very, very dangerous. It could be a lot worse. They made rules. Obviously this wouldn’t have pertained to that particular play, there’s a reason that they make that rule. It’s very dangerous when a puck goes down like that. How fast can you skate, that’s how fast you’re going to hit the boards,” said Carlson.
Carlson said he would be back in the lineup tonight against the Blues.
By Jon Sorensen