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.