The Washington Capitals, at least in the case of defenseman John Carlson, finally won something on Friday night. Although it doesn’t officially end their current seven game winless stretch, Carlson stole the spotlight in the Hardest Shot challenge at the NHL All-Star Skills Competition at SAP Center in San Jose. It’s been a long time coming for Carlson and in 2019 he finally was voted into his first All-Star game.
First Carlson, along with teammate Braden Holtby, walked the red carpet.
Red Carpet swag #NHLAllStar #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/bv3sG1Fj2t
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 26, 2019
Holtby was also a participant in the skills challenge, taking part in the Consecutive Saves challenge. Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers would take home the title in that, besting Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Holtby finished with two consecutive saves but he showed support for Carlson later in the night.
Yay Carly! pic.twitter.com/wQlAv2GiVo
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 26, 2019
For the second straight year, a Capitals player won the hardest shot challenge. Last year it was Alex Ovechkin that took home the crown. Carlson’s shot registered at 102.8 MPH. That’s fast! Carlson not only won the Hardest Shot but he beat Ovechkin’s mark of 101.3.
.@JohnCarlson74 is your 2019 #NHLAllStar Skills Competition Hardest Shot winner with a 102.8 mph shot! That means back-to-back #Caps Hardest Shot wins #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/K5PhxuJbma
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 26, 2019
“I didn’t have too much expectations but I was excited to win,” said John Carlson after the game.
“I’ve never clocked it (the speed) since I was a teenager so I had no idea what to expect… I had some faith in myself but I didn’t know where it would land.”
Here is the Caps all access video from the Skills Competition:
Get an inside look at last night's #NHLAllStar Skills Competition including John Carlon's Hardest Shot win! #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/d67QiIasK7
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 26, 2019