CALGARY, Alberta — Alex Ovechkin is starting an early-season campaign for teammate John Carlson to win this season’s Norris Trophy as the league’s top defenseman.
“Johnny for Norris. That’s a hashtag right now,” the Capitals captain said after Carlson’s two goals helped the Washington Capitals to a 5-3 win over the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night.
Carlson scored and added an empty-netter for an NHL-leading 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) in 11 games.
The 29-year-old American is the fourth different defenseman in NHL history to register 20 points or more in October joining Paul Coffey (1981, 1988), Al MacInnis (1988) and Brian Leetch (1990).