ARLINGTON, Va. — Few NHL blueliners scored more goals than Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson this season. Just seven, in fact, had more than Carlson’s 15, but two of them play for the Capitals‘ first-round opponents in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Seth Jones and Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets each finished the year with 16 goals and combined to be the highest-scoring defensive pairing in hockey. They’re also known as a shutdown pair in the defensive zone, and keeping them away from the puck might be one of the most important keys to a Washington victory in the first round.