Screen cap: Capitals

Capitals Defenseman John Carlson wasted no time in making his presence known after missing six games with a lower-body injury. In his first game back, a 5-1 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning at home on Friday night, Carlson earned his 600th NHL point with an assist on Sonny Milano’s second-period goal.

Milano’s goal, his first of the season, came at 7:01 into the second period and, at the time, put the Capitals up 2-0 in a game they went on to win by a 5-1 score. Milano sprung from the penalty box for a breakaway goal after the Capitals had just finished killing-off a five-minute major penalty. Carlson had the only assist.

THE CAPS JUST KILLED A FIVE-MINUTE PENALTY AND FOUND SONNY MILANO BREAKING OUT OF THE BOX FOR A GOAL!!!! pic.twitter.com/VXZVPdhFCb

— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) November 12, 2022

This assist resulted in Carlson taking over sole possession of fifth place on the Capitals’ all-time list for points, breaking a tie with Michal Pivonka (599).

Carlson is the first defenseman in Washington Capitals’ history to reach the 600 NHL point threshold. He has scored 124 goals and recorded 466 assists during his career. This 600-point milestone occurred in the 897th game of his NHL career.

The only players who have recorded more NHL points for the Capitals, all forwards, are Alex Ovechkin (1424), Nicklas Backstrom (1011), Peter Bondra (825), and Mike Gartner (789).

Carlson became the sixth active blueliner to reach the milestone, joining Brent Burns (230-557—787), Erik Karlsson (163-518—681), Kris Letang (144-514—658), Ryan Suter (100-542—642) and Victor Hedman (135-477—612).  Among the active defensemen, only Karlsson (in 730 games), Letang (in 887 games), and Hedman (in 896 games) had reached the 600-point threshold faster. He ranks second in career points among defensemen from his draft year of 2008, only behind Erik Karlsson.

Carlson discussed his milestone after the game.

“It’s an incredible accomplishment, I think. I think most everyone would sign up for it coming into their careers. It’s been a fun ride with a lot of crazy experiences, and I’m just glad to do it here.”

The Capitals originally drafted Carlson in the first round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft with the 27th pick overall. He made his NHL debut on November 21, 2009, against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

6️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ career points in #ALLCAPS

What a pleasure it’s been to watch you continue to make history, @JohnCarlson74! pic.twitter.com/bBIJ6jlF0y

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 12, 2022

He was not the only Capitals’ blueliner to achieve a milestone in the game. Nick Jensen also recorded his 100th NHL point which came on the goal scored by Aliaksei Protas at 14:25 during the second period and put the Capitals ahead 3-0 at the time.

Other recent milestones achieved by Capitals players include Martin Fehervary playing in his 100th career game and Sonny Milano playing in his 200th game, both against Pittsburgh on 11/9/2022 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Congratulations, Gents!

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Nicolas Aube-Kubel Given Match Penalty For Hit to the Head of Tampa Bay’s Cal Foote
Walking On Sunshine: Sonny Milano Scores First Goal With Capitals; Carlson Records 600th Career Point
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By Diane Doyle