Playoff Performer of the Night | John Carlson

John Carlson picked up a pair of assists for his 11th this postseason, to lead all defencemen in the category, while helping the Washington Capitals to a 6-2 victory in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning Sunday night.

John Carlson picked up a pair of assists to hit 11 this postseason, leading all defencemen in the category, while helping the Washington Capitals to a 6-2 victory in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning Sunday night.

Carlson picked up a crucial assist on a momentum-shifting goal that helped Washington tie the game in the opening three minutes of the second period. The blueliner played the puck off the boards to help create an odd-man rush for Devante Smith-Pelly to score off a fantastic pass from Alex Chiasson.

Carlson (3-1114) also set a franchise single-playoff record for a Caps defenceman by tallying his 14th point of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs, while the mark trails only Dustin Byfuglien (5-1015) of the Winnipeg Jets for points among defencemen this postseason.

Being up 2-0 in his first Eastern Conference Final isn't the only reason Carlson finds himself celebrating these days. Just last week, Carlson and his wife, Gina, welcomed their second son  who the couple named Rudy.

With a pair of games in hand, the Capitals head home to Washington for puck drop this Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena.


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Complete 2018 Stanley Cup Playoff Performers here