Washington Times · Dec 4, 2019
John Carlson's three first-period points lead Capitals past Sharks
SAN JOSE, Calif. - John Carlson is putting himself in some pretty elite company.
The defenseman had a goal and two assists in the opening period to reach 40 points for the season, Garnet Hathaway and Jakub Vrana each scored twice and the Washington Capitals beat the San Jose Sharks 5-2 on Tuesday night.
Carlson had a hand in all three Washington goals during a span of 3:01 in the first period that put the Capitals in control in the opener of their three-game California swing. With nine goals and 31 assists through 29 games this season, he joined Bobby Orr and Al MacInnis as the only defensemen in the expansion era to reach 40 points in the first 30 games of a season.