Carlson posted a power-play assist, two shots on goal, two hits, four PIM and a minus-2 rating in Saturday's 5-1 loss to the Jets.
Carlson didn't have a great game, but he was able to get on the scoresheet in his second contest after missing three games due to an upper-body injury. The 35-year-old defenseman continues to provide quality offense in a top-pairing role this season. He's at 24 points (six on the power play), 62 shots on net, 40 blocked shots and a plus-7 rating through 28 appearances.
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Capitals' John Carlson: Ready to return Thursday
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Carlson (upper body) is set to play against Carolina on Thursday.
Carlson was a game-time decision after missing the Capitals' past three matchups. He has six goals and 23 points in 26 appearances in 2025-26. Dylan McIlrath is expected to be a healthy scratch Thursday due to Carlson's return.
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Capitals' John Carlson: Game-time decision Thursday
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Carlson (upper body) will be a game-time decision versus Carolina on Thursday, per Tarik El-Bashir of Monumental Sports Network.
Carlson has missed the last three games with the injury. He has six goals and 17 assists, including five helpers on the power play, across 26 appearances this season. If Carlson is unable to go, look for Dylan McIlrath or Declan Chisholm to enter the lineup.
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Capitals' John Carlson: Could return Thursday
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Head coach Spencer Carbery said Wednesday that Carlson (upper body) could play in Thursday's game against the Hurricanes, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports.
Carlson has missed the last three games due to his upper-body injury, but he'll be in the mix to suit up in Thursday's home game. The Capitals will presumably monitor how he feels during and after Thursday's morning skate, and it wouldn't be surprising if he were a game-time decision. Over 26 appearances this season, Carlson has recorded six goals, 17 assists, 38 blocked shots, nine hits and six PIM while averaging 22:52 of ice time.
Carlson (upper body) isn't in the lineup for Sunday's home matchup against Columbus, according to Sammi Silber of The Hockey News.
Carlson will miss his third game in a row, with his next chance to return to the lineup coming at home Thursday versus the Hurricanes. Due to his absence, Dylan McIlrath will suit up Sunday and skate next to Rasmus Sandin on the third pairing, while Martin Fehervary and Trevor van Riemsdyk will comprise Washington's No. 1 pairing.
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Capitals' John Carlson: Game-time decision
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Carlson (upper body) will be a game-time decision against Columbus on Sunday, according to Sammi Silber of The Hockey News.
Carlson was on the ice with the team's expected scratches Sunday morning, which may not bode well for his availability, but it doesn't necessarily rule out a return to the lineup. He has amassed six goals, 23 points, 59 shots on net and 38 blocked shots through 26 appearances this season. If Carlson plays following a two-game absence, Declan Chisholm will probably be a healthy scratch versus the Blue Jackets on Sunday.
Carlson (upper body) will miss Friday's game against Anaheim, per Bailey Johnson of The Washington Post.
Carlson was also absent for Wednesday's 7-1 win over San Jose. He has six goals and 23 points in 26 outings in 2025-26. Declan Chisholm is projected to play in his second straight game due to Carlson's injury.
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Capitals' John Carlson: Sitting out Wednesday
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Carlson (upper body) won't play Wednesday versus the Sharks.
Carlson was not announced as a game-time decision, but he was ruled out after participating in warmups. Declan Chisholm will replace him in the lineup, while Rasmus Sandin is likely to absorb Carlson's power-play time.
Carlson scored a goal on four shots in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Jets.
Carlson has two goals and six assists over his last five contests. The 35-year-old blueliner opened the scoring for the Capitals at 6:38 of the first period Wednesday. Carlson is up to six goals, 22 points, 54 shots on net, 32 blocked shots and a plus-8 rating over 23 appearances and should continue to be a steady source of scoring on defense.
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Capitals' John Carlson: Two points in Monday's win
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Carlson scored a goal on a team-high five shots on net while adding an assist and a plus-3 rating in Monday's 5-1 win over the Blue Jackets.
The veteran blueliner blasted a one-timer past Elvis Merzlikins with just three seconds left in the second period before helping to set up a Martin Fehervary tally early in the third. Carlson has three multi-point performances in the last four games, and on the season, the 35-year-old has turned back the clock with five goals and 21 points in 22 contests.
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Capitals' John Carlson: Two more helpers Thursday
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Carlson delivered two assists in Thursday's 8-4 win over Montreal.
The 35-year-old blueliner has gotten onto the scoresheet in seven of his last eight games with four multi-point performances, erupting for two goals and 12 points during that heater. Carlson hasn't maintained a point-a-game pace for a full season since 2019-20, when he amassed 75 points (15 goals, 60 assists) in 69 regular-season contests, but he's very nearly back at that level to kick off 2025-26 with four goals and 19 points in 20 games.
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Capitals' John Carlson: Three-point night against Oilers
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Carlson racked up three assists with two PIM and a plus-4 rating in Wednesday's 7-4 win over Edmonton.
The three points were a season high for the veteran blueliner, who has been on a tear in November with two goals and 10 points in the last seven games. Carlson has seen his production tail off the last few seasons, but the 35-year-old may be turning back the clock -- with four goals and 17 points in 19 contests, he's on pace to top 70 points for the first time since 2021-22.
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Capitals' John Carlson: Suiting up Monday
Rotowire
Carlson (upper body) is in the lineup for Monday's road matchup versus the Bruins, according to Sammi Silber of The Hockey News.
Carlson will resume his usual role on the top pairing and No. 1 power-play unit in Boston. As a result of his return to the lineup, Declan Chisholm will be a healthy scratch. The 35-year-old Carlson has generated four goals and 14 points through 17 appearances this season.
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Capitals' John Carlson: Officially deemed game-time call
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Carlson (upper body) will be a game-time decision for Monday's matchup against Los Angeles, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports.
Initial reports suggested that Carlson should be good to go for Monday's game, but the Capitals will wait to evaluate the defenseman in the hours leading up to puck drop before determining his status. If Carlson is able to suit up, Trevor van Riemsdyk will be a candidate to come out of the lineup.
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Capitals' John Carlson: Set to return Monday
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Carlson (upper body) is slated to be available for Monday's game against the Kings, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports.
Carlson missed Saturday's game against the Devils due to an upper-body injury, but he should be back in action following his one-game absence. The 35-year-old was riding a five-game point streak prior to his injury, recording two goals, five assists, seven blocked shots, a hit, a plus-3 rating and two PIM while averaging 21:55 of ice time.
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Capitals' John Carlson: Unavailable Saturday
Rotowire
Carlson (upper body) won't play against New Jersey on Saturday, according to Sammi Silber of The Hockey News.
Carlson's five-game scoring streak will be interrupted as a result of his injury. He has four goals and 14 points in 17 appearances this season. Trevor van Riemsdyk might draw into the lineup Saturday after being a healthy scratch in Washington's previous two games.
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Capitals' John Carlson: Game-time decision Saturday
Rotowire
Carlson (upper body) missed morning skate and will be a game-time decision Saturday versus New Jersey, Bailey Johnson of The Washington Post reports.
Carlson is on a five-game scoring streak with two goals and five assists. He has four tallies and 14 points in 17 games this season. If Carlson is unable to play, look for Trevor van Riemsdyk to enter the lineup.
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