BUFFALO — Connor Carrick’s first NHL game didn’t go so smoothly. On opening night in Chicago, at a rink near Carrick’s hometown in Illinois, he was scored on twice in a Washington Capitals’ loss against the Blackhawks. He was 19 at the time and arguably not quite ready for full-time NHL duty yet.
After playing 34 games during the 2013-14 season, Carrick spent all of last season in the American Hockey League, in large part because the Capitals’ defense was remarkably healthy, so there was never room for Carrick. But with Brooks Orpik on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, Washington is in need of an extra defenseman, so Carrick got the call before the team’s holiday break.